FOR  PI 


''^^o 


.^   NOV  25^919   .< 


COMPLIMENTS  OF 


WILLIAM   S.  MYERS,  Director 
Chilean  Nitrate  Committee 


25  MADISON  AVENUE 
NEW  YORK 


Digitized  by  the  Internet  Archive 

in  2008  with  funding  from 

IVIicrosoft  Corporation 


http://www.archive.org/details/foodforplantsOOmyerrich 


FOOD  FOR  PLANTS 


New  Edition 
With  Supplementary  Notes 


EDITED    AND    PUBLISHED    BY 

WILLIAM  S.   MYERS,  D.  Sc.  F.  C.  S.,  Director, 

Chilean    Nitrate    Propaganda. 

Late  of  New  Jersey  State  Agricultural  College. 

25    MADISON    AVENUE,    NEW    YORK 


A6RIC. 
UBRAR'' 


PREFACE 

This  is  the  eleventh  edition  of  Food  for  Plants  and, 
after  repeated  and  extended  revisions,;  t]h€-,tyo,i')<;hti:s 
come  to  have  a  standard  place  in  our  American  farm 
Hterature.  It  now  includes  results  of  original  investi- 
gations and  experiments  on  Highlands  Experimental 
Farms. 

The  main  purpose  of  all  the  within  recorded  ex- 
periments has  been  to  demonstrate  the  value  of  Nitrate 
of  Soda  in  the  scheme  of  rational  fertihzation  on  a 
practical  scale.  The  investigations  have  covered  more 
particularly  the  questions  of  amount  of  Nitrate  and 
other  chemicals  to  be  employed,  time  of  apphcation 
for  most  profitable  results  and  practical  methods  for 
the  preparation  of  grass  lands  and  the  harvesting  of  the 
hay  crop. 

These  recorded  experiments  conclude  the  field 
work  intended  as  demonstrations  in  farm  practice  of 
what  may  be  accomplished  by  the  rational  use  of 
Nitrate  of  Soda  under  average  farm  conditions  in  a 
typical  dairy  section  of  New  York  State. 

The   earlier  results   have   appeared   from  time  to 

time  in  former  editions  of  "Food  for  Plants,"  "Grass 

Growing  for  Profit,"  and  "Growing  Timothy  Hay  for 

Market," — all  practical  farm  books  of  value,  based  on 

actual    scientific    and    sound    practical  data.     Studies 

having  been  made  of  methods  of  crop  growing,  from 

the  preparation  of  the  land  to  handling  and  marketing 

the  crops,  it  is  beheved  that  these  volumes  have  unique 

and  unusual  value. 

WILLIAM  S.  MYERS. 


740477 


.•^" 


FOOD    FOR   PLANTS 

Nitrate  is  a  powerful  plant  tonic,  food  and  ener- 
gizer.  It  is  not  a  stimulant  in  any  sense  of  the  word ;  a 
very  small  quantity  does  a  very  large  amount  of  work. 

We  never  recommend  the  use  of  Nitrate  of  Soda 
alone,  except  at  the  rate  of  not  more  than  one  hundred 
(100)  pounds  to  the  acre,  when  it  may  be  used  ivithout 
other  fertilizers.  The  phosphate  fertilizers  may  gener- 
ally be  applied  in  connection  with  Nitrate  of  Soda 
at  the  rate  of  about  two  hundred  (200)  pounds  to  the 
acre.  This  rate  will  be  found  generally  profitable 
for  all  crops.  Nitrate  is  best  applied  as  a  Top-dressing 
in  the  spring  soon  after  vegetation  begins  to  grow.  It 
will  be  found  quite  satisfactory  also  in  its  after-effect 
in  perceptibly  sweetening  sour  land. 

It  is  well  known  that  animals,  and  especially  the 
young  ones,  must  have  all  the  food  they  ^^^^  Necessary 
can  digest  m  order  to  properly  develop  ^^^  Plants, 
and  grow.  This  is  equally  true  of 
plants.  Plants  will  manage  to  live  on  very  little  food, 
but  to  grow,  thrive  and  bear  fruit  they  also  require 
an  abundance  of  food. 

The  Food  of  Plants  consists  of  a  number  of  ele- 
ments, including  Nitrate,  phosphate,  lime  and  potash. 
Nearly  always  two  of  these  are  lacking  in  adequate 
quantities  to  produce  crops,  especially  is  Nitrate  w^ant- 
ing  in  the  vast  majority  of  instances.  Nitrate 

In  this  case  the  normal  growth  and  is  indispensable, 
yield  of  the  crop  will  be  limited  only  by 
the  quantity  of  Nitrate  it  can  properly  assimilate. 
There  might  be  an  abundant  supply  of  all  the  other 
elements,  but  plants  can  never  use  other  kinds  of  food 
without  Nitrate. 

Nitrate  Nitrogen  is  the  food  that 
is^nearly  always  deficient.     The  ques-       Nearly  Always 
tion  that  presents  itself  to  the  farmer,        Deficient, 
gardener  and  fruit  grower  is,  How  can 


Food  for  I  supply  my  plants  with  Nitrogen,  phosphoric  acid  and 

!^  potash,  in  the  best  forms  and  at  the  least  expense?     We 

^       will  try  to  throw  some  light  upon  this  question  in  the 
following  pages.     We  will  take  first,  Phosphoric  Acid. 

h    •    A  'd  There  are  several  sources  of  phos- 

^  '    phoric  acid,  the  principal  being  bones 

and  rock  phosphate.  Of  these,  the  rock  phosphate  is  the 
cheapest  source.  A  prevailing  impression  exists  that 
superphosphate  made  from  rock  phosphate  is  not  as 
good  as  that  made  from  bones.  It  has  been  shown  by 
many  experiments  that  this  idea  is  entirely  without 
foundation.  What  the  plants  want  is  available  phos- 
phoric acid,  and  it  makes  little  or  no  difference  from 
what  source  it  is  derived. 

The  largest  deposits  of  rock  phosphates  exist  in 
South  Carolina,  Florida  and  Tennessee.  These  beds 
of  phosphate  are  supposed  to  be  composed  of  the  petri- 
fied bones  and  excrements  of  extinct  animals.  When 
this  substance  is  ground  and  mixed  with  a  suflacient 
quantity  of  sulphuric  acid,  the  larger  part  of  the  phos- 
phoric acid  which  it  contains  becomes  soluble  in  water, 
and  hence  available  as  plant  food.  This  fact  w^as  one 
of  the  greatest  agricultural  discoveries  of  the  age. 

When  the  rock  phosphate  is  thus  treated  with  sul- 
phuric acid,  it  becomes  what  is  commercially  known  as 
superphosphate,  or  acid  phosphate.  The  same  is  true  if 
ground  bone  is  treated  in  the  same  way.  Good  super- 
phosphate, or  acid  phosphate,  contains  14  per  cent,  of 
soluble  phosphoric  acid. 

The    best   sources    of  potash    are 
°  ^^  ^^'  sulphate  of  potash  and  unleached  wood 

ashes,  which  latter  contain  from  3  to  5  per  cent,  of 
potash  in  the  form  of  carbonate.  They  also  contain  from 
1  to  2}/2  per  cent,  of  phosphoric  acid.  They  are  worth 
usually,  as  plant  food,  from  $7.00  to  $11.00  per  ton, 
not  to  mention  the  valuable  lime  they  contain. 

Nitrate  is  the  most  important  and 
Nitrate.  effective  element  of  plant  food,  and  at 

the  same  time,  as  stated,  is  the  one  that  is  generally 
deficient  in  the  soil. 

Lands  must  have  meals,  that  is,  food  cooked  for 
them  in  advance.     The  sun  will  help  do  this  cooking. 


as  its  heat  and  light  promote  nitration  which  is  really  p^°^^l°^ 

a  process  of  cooking  and  also  pre-digestion.     When  the 

plant  food  is  cooked  and  prepared  for  use  it  is  Nitrate,       7 
hence  Nitrate  of  Soda  is  in  a  class  by  itself,  different 
from  all  other  plant  foods. 

There  are  a  great  many  sources  of  Nitrogen,  such 
as  dried  fish,  cotton-seed  meal,  dried  blood,  and  tank- 
age. But  none  of  these  furnish  Nitrogen  in  the  Nitrate 
form  in  which  it  is  taken  up  by  plants.  This  can  only 
be  furnished  to  plants  in  the  form  of  Nitrate  of  Soda. 
Nitrogen  applied  in  any  other  form  must  be  first  con- 
verted into  Nitrate  before  it  can  be  used  by  plants  at 
all. 

Nitrate  of  Soda  contains  the  Nitrogen  that  is  neces- 
sary for  the  growth  of  plants,  and  is  the  best  form  in 
which  to  furnish  Nitrogen  to  plants.  When  we  say 
the  best  form  we  mean  as  well  the  best  practical  form. 
Nitrate  of  Soda  not  only  furnishes  Nitrogen  in  its 
most  available  form,  but  it  furnishes  it  at  a  lower  price 
than  any  other  source,  because  100  per  cent,  of  it  or  all 
is  available. 

No  other  form  containing  so  much  available  plant 
food  is  also  capable  of  unlocking  the  latent  potash  in 
the  soil. 


How  Nitrate  Benefits  the 
Farmer. 

Nitrate  of  Soda,  from  the  stand- 
point of  the  agricultural  chemist,  is  a  What  Nitrate 
^,^           J.            11. 1           •         e     -i-  '  Looks  Like ;  Its 
substance  lormed  by  the  union  oi  nitric  chemical 

oxide  and  soda.     In  appearance  it  re-      Properties, 
sembles  coarse  salt.     In  agriculture,  it 
is  valuable  chiefly  for  its  active  Nitrogen,  although  it  is 
also    a   soil   sweetener   and   is   frequently   capable    of 
rendering  available  potash  in  the  soil. 

Commercially    pure    Nitrate    con-  What  it  is  in 

tains  about   15   per  cent,  of  Nitrogen,  Agriculture, 

equivalent  to   18.25   per  cent,  of  Am- 
monia, or  300  pounds  of  Nitrogen  to  the  ton. 


^%tiZ  Tiru       •..  •  Nitrate  of  Soda  is  found  in  vast 

-^^  F^nd.      '    quantities  in  Chile.     The  beds  of  Ni- 

^  *  trate,  or  "Cahche,"  as  it  is  called  in 

Chile  before  it  is  refined,  are  several  thousand  feet  above 
the  sea,  on  a  desert  plain  extending  for  seventy-five 
miles  north  and  south,  and  about  twenty  miles  wide, 
in  a  rainless  region.  The  surface  of  the  desert  is  covered 
with  earth  or  rock,  called  "costra,"  which  varies  from 
three  to  ten  or  more  feet  in  thickness.  Under  this  is 
found  the  "CaHche,"  or  crude  Nitrate.  The  layer  of 
"Caliche"  is  sometimes  eight  or  ten  feet  thick,  but 
averages  about  three  feet.  This  "Caliche"  contains 
on  the  average  about  50  per  cent,  of  pure  Nitrate  of 
Soda. 

There  is  ample  Nitrate  now  in  sight  to  last,  it  is 
calculated,  upwards  of  two  hundred  years. 

The  "Caliche"  is  refined  by  boiling  in  water  to 
dissolve  the  Nitrate.  This  hot  water  is  then  run  off 
Method  of  and  allowed  to  cool  in  tanks,  when  the 
Refining.  Nitrate  forms  in  crystals  like  common 
salt.  The  Nitrate  is  then  placed  in  bags  of  a  little  over 
two  hundred  pounds  each  and  shipped  to  all  parts  of 
the  world.  How  these  beds  of  Nitrate  were  formed  has 
been  the  subject  of  much  speculation.  The  generally 
accepted  theory  is,  that  they  were  formed  by  the 
gradual  decomposition  and  natural  manurial  fermen- 
tation of  marine  animal  and  vegetable  matter,  which 
contains  a  considerable  amount  of  Nitrogen.  The  pro- 
cess of  refining  is  an  expensive  one. 

The  same  wise  Providence  that  stored  up  the  coal 
in  the  mountains  of  Pennsylvania  to  furnish  fuel  for 
people  when  their  supply  of  wood  had  become  ex- 
hausted, preserved  this  vast  quantity  of  Nitrate  of 
Soda  in  the  rainless  region  of  Chile,  to  be  used  to  furn- 
ish crops  with  the  necessary  Nitrate  when  the  natural 
supply  in  the  soil  had  become  deficient. 

The  enormous  explosive  industry  of  this  country 

,.    jj  could   not  be   conducted   without  Ni- 

trate of  Soda,  and  glass  works  are  de- 
pendent upon  it.  In  fact,  glass  works  and  powder 
works  usually  have  Nitrate  on  hand. 

Nitrate  of  Soda  has  a  special  bearing  on  the  prog- 


ress  of  modern  agriculture,  being  the  most  nutritious  ^°°'^^''^ 

form  of  Nitrogenous  or  ammoniate  plant  food.     While  

the    action    of    micro-organisms   with  ,  .  9 

certain  crops  (legumes)   combines  and        •  ^jj°j^*^°^ 
makes  effective  use  of  the  inert  Nitrogen       Agriculture, 
of  the  atmosphere,  such  action  is  far 
too  slow  and   uncertain   for   all   the    requirements  of 
modern  agriculture,  for  it  is  not  available  for  use  for  a 
whole  year  or  even  longer.     The  rapid  exhaustion  of 
combined  Nitrogen  has  several  times  been  noticed  by 
eminent  scientific  men,  with  reference  to  food  famine, 
because  of  a  lack  of  the  needful  Nitrogenous  plant  food. 
It  has  been  estimated  under  the  present 
methods  of  cropping  the  rich  lands  of  Wasteful  Methods 

TTr     .  qI^.  *     .1     .     p  by  our  Pioneer 

our    Western    btates,    that    tor    every  Farmers. 

pound    of   Nitrogen   actually   used    to 
make  a  wheat  crop,  four  to  five  pounds  are  utterly 
wasted.     In  other  words,  our  pioneer  agriculture  has 
proceeded  as  though  fertility  capital  could  be  drawn 
upon  forever. 

This   injudicious   waste   is    already   reducing   the 
yield  of  many  of  the  best  lands,  rendering  the  use  of  at 
least  a  small  application  per  acre  of  Nitrate  both  profit- 
able and  necessary.     The  agricultural 
value  of  Nitrate  of  Soda  has  had  the  Eminent  Scien- 
attention  of  the  foremost  agricultural  J^^*^  ^  ^^l^^ 
and  scientific  speciahsts  of  the  world,  quaited'with'the 
mcludmg    such    men    as    Dr.    Wagner  Great  Value  of 
and  Professor  Maercker,  of  Germany;  Nitrate. 
Lawes      and      Gilbert,      Sir     WilHam 
Crookes,  Dr.  Dyer,  Dr.  Hall  and  Dr.  Voelcker,  in  Eng- 
land; Professors  Grandeau,  Cassarini,  Migneaux,  and 
Cadoret,  in  France;  Professors  Bernardo  and  Ahno, 
in  Spain;  and  Drs.  Voorhees,  Brooks,  Duggar,  Ross, 
Patterson,  Hilgard  and  Garcia  in  America.     The  re- 
sults obtained  by  these  oflScials  may  be  summarized 
as  follows: 

1 .  Nitrate  of  Soda  acts  very  beneficially  and  with 
great  certainty  upon  all  straw-growing  plants. 

2.  It  is  of  special  value  for  forcing  the  rapid  de- 
velopment and  early  maturity  of  most  garden  crops. 

3.  It  is  of  great  importance  in  the  production  of 


^  pfants  s^g^^  beets,  potatoes,  hops,  fodder  crops,  fiber  plants, 

and  tobacco. 

^°  4.     It  is  exceedingly  valuable  in  developing  and 

maintaining  meadow  grass  and  pasture  lands. 

5.  In  the  early  stages  of  development  it  produces 
favorable  results  upon  peas,  vetches,  lupines,  clover, 
and  alfalfa. 

6.  It  has  been  applied  with  much  advantage  to 
various  kinds  of  berries,  bush  fruits,  vineyards,  orchards 
and  nursery  stock,  and  small  fruits  generally. 

7.  It  provides  the  means  in  the  hands  of  the 
farmer,  for  energizing  his  crops  so  that  they  may  better 
withstand  the  ravages  of  drought,  or  the  onslaughts  of 
plant  diseases  or  insect  pests,  such  as  boll  weevil,  and 
others. 

Too-Dressine  ^'     ^^  ^^^  ^^  ^^^^^  ^^  ^  surface  ap- 

plication to  the  soil,  from  time  to  time, 
as  the  plants  indicate  a  need  of  it  by  their  color  and 
growth. 

9.  It  is  immediately  available,  and  under  favor- 
able conditions  its  effect  upon  many  crops  may  be 
noticed  within  a  few  days  after  its  application. 

10.  It  may  be  used  either  as  a  special  fertilizer, 
or  as  a  supplemental  fertilizer. 

11.  The  best  results  are  obtained  from  its  applica- 
tion when  the  soil  contains  ample  supplies  of  available 
phosphoric  acid  and  potash.  It  should  always  be  re- 
membered that  it  furnishes  the  one  most  expensive  and 
necessary  element  of  plant  food,  namely,  Nitrogen,  and 
of  the  various  commercial  forms  of  Nitrogen,  Nitrate  is 
the  cheapest. 

12.  Its  uniform  action  seems  to  be  to  energize  the 
capacity  of  the  plant  for  developing  growth.  Its  action 
is  characterized  by  imparting  to  the  plant  a  deep  green, 
healthy  appearance,  and  by  also  causing  it  to  grow 
rapidly  and  to  put  out  numbers  of  new  shoots. 

13.  The  immediate  effect  of  an  application  of 
Nitrate  of  Soda,  therefore,  is  to  develop  a  much 
larger  plant  growth  and  its  skillful  application  must 
be  relied  upon  to  secure  the  largest  yields  of  fruits 
and  grain. 

14.  Under  favorable  conditions  of  moisture  and 


cultivation,   these   effects   may   be  confidently   antici-  ^^°^  ^^^ 
pated  upon  all  kinds  of  soils.  ^°^^ 

15.  All  of  the  plant  food  contained  in  Nitrate  of      '^ 
Soda  is  available  and  existing  in  a  highly  soluble  form. 
The  farmer  should  understand  that  it  is  not  economical 

to  apply  more  of  it  than  can  be  utilized  bj^  the  crop;  one 
of  the  most  valuable  qualities  of  this  fertilizer  being 
that  it  need  not  lie  dormant  in  the  soil  from  one  season 
to  the  next. 

16.  The  best  results  are  secured  when  it  is  applied 
during  the  early  growing  period  of  the  plant.  If 
applied  too  late  in  the  development  of  the  plant,  it  has  a 
tendency  to  protract  its  growing  period  and  to  delay  the 
ripening  of  the  fruit,  as  the  energies  of  the  plant  are 
immediately  concentrated  upon  developing  its  growth, 
after  a  liberal  application  of  Nitrate  of  Soda.  This  is 
true  with  some  exceptions. 

17.  The  farmer  must  not  expect  it  to  excuse  him 
from  applying  proper  principles  of  land  drainage,  or 
cultivation  of  the  soil,  nor  should  Nitrate  of  Soda  be 
used  in  excessive  quantities  too  close  to  the  plants  that 
are  fertilized  with  it.  For  most  agricultural  crops, 
an  application  of  one  hundred  pounds  to  the  acre  is 
sufficient  when  it  is  used  alone. 

18.  It  may  be  applied  to  either  agricultural  or 
garden  lands  by  sowing  it  broadcast  upon  the  land,  or 
by  means  of  any  fertilizer-distributing  machine  in  use. 
If  applied  in  the  dr}^  state,  in  order  to  insure  uniform 
distribution,  a  convenient  method  is  to  mix  it  with 
twice  its  weight  of  air-slacked  lime,  land  plaster,  or  even 
with  dry  loam  or  sand  before  applying  it.  It  can 
be  applied  to  the  surface,  and  without  cultivation  will 
be  absorbed  by  the  soil,  or  it  may  be  cultivated  into 
the  soil  by  some  light  agricultural  implement,  such  as  a 
harrow,  weeder,  cultivator  or  horse  hoe.  The  capillary 
movement  of  the  soil  waters  will  distribute  it  in  the  soil, 
and  the  capillar}^  attraction  of  the  soil  when  in  good  tilth 
will  retain  it  safely  until  the  plant  uses  it. 

Accepting  the  conclusions  of  these  scientific  men, 
the  use  of  Nitrate  of  Soda  in  agriculture  ought  to 
increase  proportionately  to  the  dissemination  of  the 
knowledge  of  its  usefulness  among  our  farmers.     An 


Food  for  increase  in  the  consumption  of  Nitrate 

. ^         Iifcreasing       among  growers  of  tobacco,  fiber  plants, 

12  ■      sugar  beets,  the  hop,  grape,  grass  and 

small  fruits,  has  been  most  notable  of  late.  The  ele- 
ment of  plant  food  first  exhausted  in  soils  is  Nitrogen, 
and  in  many  cases  a  marked  increase  in  crop  is  obtained 
through  Top-Dressing  of  Nitrate  alone.  "Complete" 
fertihzers  are  generally  rather  low  in  Nitrogen,  and 
most  expensive,  and  Nitrate  may  be  wisely  used  to 
supplement  them,  as  it  is  practically  the  cheapest  form 
of  plant  food  Nitrogen. 

By  "complete  fertilizers,"  is  meant 
"  Complete  fertilizers    containing   Nitrogen,    phos- 

"  Phos^hates^""^  P^'^''^^  ^^'"^  ^""^  potash.  These  fertil- 
the  Most  Expen-  ^^^^^  are  often  called  "phosphates,"  and 
sive  Plant  Food,  people  have  fallen  into  the  habit  of  call- 
ing any  commercial  fertilizer  a  "phos- 
phate," whether  it  contains  phosphate  or  not.  Many 
so-called  "complete  fertihzers"  are  merely  low  grade 
acid  phosphates  with  insignificant  amounts  of  the  other 
essential  plant  foods.  They  are  unprofitable  and  ill 
balanced  rations  for  all  crops. 

The  value  of  these  "phosphates,"  no  matter  how 
high  sounding  their  names,  is  usually  mostly  in  phos- 
phoric acid  and  potash. 

The  Nitrogen  contained  in  these  "complete  fer- 
tilizers" is  often  in  a  form  that  is  neither  available 
nor  useful  to  the  plants  until  it  has  become  converted 
into  Nitrate.  The  time  required  to  do  this  varies  from 
a  few  days  to  a  few  years,  according  to  the  temperature 
of  the  soil  and  the  kind  and  condition  of  the  material 
used. 

Statistics  gathered  by  the  Experiment  Stations 
show  that  many  millions  of  dollars  are  spent  annually 
in  the  United  States  for  "complete  fertilizers."  Con- 
sidering that  the  average  "complete  fertihzer"  costs  25 
per  cent,  more  than  it  is  worth,  it  is  evident  that 
farmers  pay  immensely  more  for  their  fertilizers  than 
they  get  value  in  return.  And  this  state  of  things  is 
the  same  all  over  the  country.  The  farmers  of  this 
country  are  paying  out  many  millions  of  dollars 
annually  to  the  manufacturers  of  "complete  fertihzers," 


which  they  could  very  easily  save  by  the  exercise  of  a  pJ^^J"*" 
little  care  and  foresight.  

Would  you  not  think  a  man  very       How  to  Save  ^^ 

unwise    who    should    buy    somebody's        Money  on 
"Complete  Prepared  Food,"  at  a  high       Fertilizers, 
price,    when   he   wanted   feed   for   his 
horses,  instead  of  going  into  the  market  and  buying 
corn,  oats  and  hay,  at  market  prices? 

The  "Complete  Prepared  Food"  would  probably 
be  composed  of  corn,  oats  and  hay  mixed  together,  and 
the  price  would  be,  perhaps,  twice  as  much  as  the  corn, 
oats  and  hay  would  cost  separately.     It  is  the  same 
with   plant  food.     It  is   always   more    -nru  ^  p  ^m- 
economical  to  buy  the  different  fertil-    ^^  g      ^ 
izing  materials  and  mix  them  at  home 
than  to  purchase   "complete"  fertihzers  as  they  are 
often  called.     Some  do  not  wish  to  take  pains  to  get 
good  materials  and  mix  them,  and  prefer  to  purchase 
the   "complete"   fertilizers.     If  this  be  done,   special 
attention  should  be  given  to  ascertaining  in  what  form 
the  Nitrogen  exists.     Many  of  the  manufacturers  do  not 
tell  this,  but  the  Experiment  Stations  analyze  all  the 
fertilizers  sold  in  their  respective  States  and  pubhsh 
the  results  in  bulletins,  which  are  sent  free  to  anyone 
asking  for  them.     These  analyses  should  show  in  what 
form  the  Nitrogen  is.     The  "complete  fertilizers"  that 
contain  the  most  Nitrogen  in  the  form  of  Nitrate  are  the 
ones  to  use,  and  the  ones  which  do  not  contain  Nitrate 
or  which  do  not  give  information  on  this  vital  point 
should   not   be   purchased.     If  you   have   on   hand   a 
"complete  fertilizer"  containing  a  small  percentage  of 
Nitrogen,  and  only  in  organic  form,  such  as  cotton- 
seed,  "tankage,"  etc.,  it  will  be  of  great  advantage 
to  use  one  hundred  pounds  per  acre  of  Nitrate  of  Soda 
in  addition  to  this  fertilizer.     No  fertilizer  is  really 
complete  without  Nitrate  of  Soda. 

Are  the  Farmers  of  Little  Europe  More  Intelligent 
Than  Those  of  America  ? 

It  certainly  seems  so.     The  English  and  European 
farmers  instead  of  buying  their  Nitrogen  in  complete 


Food  for  fertilizers  and  paying  over  25  cents  per  pound  for  it,  use 

_^^  annually  over  eight  hundred  thousand  (800,000)  tons 

1 4       of  Nitrate  of  Soda  as  a  fertilizer,  while  yet  only  a  few 

thousands  of  American  farmers  are  using  it  at  a  cost 

generally  of  less  than  20  cents  per  pound. 

American  farmers,  gardeners  and  fruit  growers  are 
supposed  to  be  ready  to  "catch  on"  to  a  good  thing. 
And  as  soon  as  our  Agricultural  Press  let  them  know  the 
facts  in  regard  to  the  great  value  of  Nitrate  of  Soda  as  a 
Fertilizer  our  farmers  will  not  be  slow  to  use  it.  The 
reason  why  so  little  is  said  about  Nitrate  of  Soda  is 
simply  owing  to  the  fact  that  there  is  "no  money  in 
it  for  the  trade."  It  is  an  article  that  everybody  can 
sell,  and  consequently  no  one  can  afford  to  advertise  it. 
The  real  friends  of  agriculture,  however,  will  be  pleased 
to  know  that  there  is  a  decided  increase  in  the  demand 
for  Nitrate  of  Soda  in  this  country.  As  soon  as  the 
farmers  demand  it,  the  dealers  in  fertilizers  will  be 
glad  to  keep  the  Nitrate  for  sale,  and  sooner  or  later 
will  advertise  it.  In  the  mean  time,  if  your  agricul- 
tural paper  does  not  tell  you  about  Nitrate  of  Soda 
and  how  to  use  it,  take  a  paper  that  keeps  up  with  the 
science  and  practice  of  the  age. 

It  is  now  known  that  the  Nitrogen  in  organic 
matter  of  soil  or  manure  is  slowly  converted  into  the 
Nitrate  form  by  a  minute  organism.  This  cannot 
grow  if  the  soil  be  too  cold,  or  too  wet,  or  too  dry,  or 
in  a  sour  soil.  As  a  general  rule,  soils  must  be  kept 
sweet  and  the  other  conditions  necessary  for  the  con- 
version of  the  Nitrogen  into  the  Nitrate  form  are  warm 
weather  and  a  moist  soil  in  good  physical  condition. 

In  the  early  spring  the  soil  is  too  wet  and  too  cold 
for  the  change  to  take  place.  We  must  wait  for  warm 
weather.  But  the  gardener  does  not  want  to  wait.  He 
makes  his  profits  largely  on  his  early  crops  Guided 
only  by  experience  and  tradition,  he  fills  his  land  with 
manure,  and  even  then  he  gets  only  a  moderate  crop 
the  first  year.  He  puts  on  75  tons  more  manure  the 
next  year,  and  gets  a  better  crop.  And  he  may  con- 
tinue putting  on  manure  till  the  soil  is  as  rich  in  Nitro- 
gen as  the  manure  itself,  and  even  then  he  must  keep 
on  manuring   or  he  fails   to   get   a  good   early   crop. 


Why?     The  Nitrogen  of  the  soil,  or  of  roots  of  plants,  |f°^tg^°' 

or  dung,  is  retained  in  the  soil  in  a  comparatively  inert  

condition.     There  is  little  or  no  loss.     But  when  it  is       '5 
slowly  converted  into  Nitrate  during  warm  weather, 
the  plants  take  it  up  and  grow  rapidly. 

How,  then,  is  the  market  gardener  to  get  the 
Nitrate  absolutely  necessary  for  the  growth  of  his 
early  plants.^  He  may  get  it,  as  before  stated, 
from  an  excessive  and  continuous  use  of  stable 
manure,  but  even  then  he  fails  to  get  it  in  sufficient 
quantity. 

One  thousand  pounds  of  Nitrate  of  Soda,  will  furn- 
ish more  Nitrogen  to  the  plants  early  in  the  spring 
than  the  gardener  can  get  from  100  tons  of  well-rotted 
stable  manure.  The  stable  manure  may  help  furnish 
Nitrate  for  his  later  crops,  but  for  his  early  crops  the 
gardener  who  fails  to  use  Nitrate  of  Soda  is  blind  to 
his  own  interests. 

A  given  quantity  of  Nitrate  will 
produce  a  given  amount  of  plant  sub-    ^^.^^^^^/^Jf 
stance.     A   ton   oi   wheat,   straw   and    ^jg  used, 
grain    together,    contain    about    1,500 
pounds  of  dry  matter,  of  which  25  pounds  is  Nitrogen. 
To  produce  a  ton  of  wheat  and  straw  together  would 
require,  therefore,  170  pounds  of  Nitrate  of  Soda,  in 
which  quantity  there  is  25  pounds  of  Nitrogen. 

A  ton  of  cabbage,  on  the  other  hand,  contains 
about  43^  pounds  of  Nitrogen.  To  produce  a  ton  of 
cabbage,  therefore,  would  require  30  pounds  of  Nitrate 
of  Soda. 

There  are  no  crops  on  which  it  is  more  profitable 
to  use  fertilizers  than  on  vegetables  and  small  fruits, 
provided  they  are  used  rightly.     Failures  with  chemi- 
cal fertilizers  are  caused  usually  by  lack 
of  knowledge.     There  is  no  doubt  but    ^"'^^l^b'Ss  °nd 
that  stable  manure  is  valuable  as  a  fer-    Small  Fruits. 
tilizer,  and  in  some  cases  may  be  indis- 
pensable, but  at  the  same  time  the  quantities  necessary 
to  produce  good  results  could  be  greatly  reduced  by 
using  chemical  fertilizers  to  supply  plant  food  and  only 
enough  manure  to  give  lightness  and  add  humus  to 
the  soil. 


Food  for  What  Fertilizers  For  crops  like  cabbage  and  beets, 

___^_^  to  Use  for  Gar-      j-j^g^^  j^^  jg  desirable  to  force  to  rapid 
i6       ^®°  ^^°P^'  maturity,  the  kind  of  plant  food,  espe- 

cially of  Nitrogen,  is  of  the  greatest  importance. 
Many  fertilizers  sold  for  this  purpose  have  all  the 
Nitrogen  they  contain  in  insoluble  and  unavailable 
form,  so  that  it  requires  a  considerable  time  for  the 
plants  to  get  it.  Another  fault  is  that  they  do  not 
contain  nearly  enough  Nitrogen.  Stable  manure  con- 
tains on  the  average  in  one  ton  10  pounds  Nitrogen, 
10  pounds  potash,  and  only  5  pounds  phosphoric  acid, 
while  the  average  "complete"  fertilizer  contains  more 
than  twice  as  much  phosphoric  acid  as  Nitrogen,  a 
most  unnatural  and  unprofitable  ration.  A  ratio  of 
2  Nitrogen,  4  potash,  and  10  of  phosphoric  acid,  is 
frequent  in  many  of  the  so-called  "complete  fertilizers," 
which  are  really  incomplete  and  unbalanced  as  well.  A 
fertilizer  for  quick-growing  vegetables  should  contain 
as  much  Nitrogen  as  phosphoric  acid,  and  at  least  half 
this  Nitrogen  should  be  in  the  form  of  Nitrate,  which 
is  the  only  immediately  available  plant  food. 

Some     interesting     and     valuable 
Comparative  experiments   were   made   at   the   Con- 

mt^rogen^  necticut  Experiment  Station,  to  ascer- 

Various  Forms.      ta,in  how  much  of  the  Nitrogen  con- 
tained in  such  materials  as  dried  blood, 
tankage,  dry  fish,  and  cotton-seed  meal,  is  available 
for  plants. 

The  experiments  were  made  with  corn,  and  it  was 
found  that  when  the  same  quantity  of  Nitrogen  was 
applied  in  the  various  forms  the  crop  increased  over 
that  where  no  Nitrogen  was  applied,  as  shown  in  the 
following  table: 

Increase  of  Crop  from  Same  Quantity  of  Nitrogen 
from  Different  Sources. 

Relative 
Sources  of  Nitrogen.  Crop  Increase. 

Nitrate  of  Soda 100 

Dried  Blood 73 

Cotton-seed  Meal 72 

Dry  Fish 70 

Tankage 62 

Linseed  Meal 78 


The  above  table  shows  some  interesting  facts.     It  pf^^^g"^ 

is  evident  that  only  about  three-fourths  as  much  of  the  

Nitrogen  in  dried  blood  or  cotton-seed  meal  as  in  Ni-       ^7 
trate  of  Soda  is  available  the  first  season.     The  Nitro- 
gen in  tankage  is  even  less  available,  only  a  little  over 
half  being  used  by  the  crop. 

These  experiments  were  made  with  corn,  which 
grows  for  a  long  period  when  the  ground  is  warm  and 
the  conditions  most  favorable  to  render  the  Nitrogen 
in  organic  substances  available,  and  yet  only  part  of  it 
could  be  used  by  the  crop. 

When  it  is  considered  that  Nitrogen  in  the  form  of 
Nitrate  of  Soda  can  be  bought  for  as  little  or  less  per 
pound  than  in  almost  any  other  form,  the  advantage 
and  economy  of  purchasing  and  using  this  form  is  very 
apparent. 

Nitration  as  studied  by  means  of  the  drainage 
water  of  6  plots  of  land,  each  300  square  yards  in  area, 
during  4  years,  shows  that  the  loss  of  Nitrogen  in  the 
drainage  water  was  very  small  and  practically  negli- 
gible. Even  when  Nitrogen  was  applied  in  the  spring 
the  losses  were  not  large  unless  heavy  rains  occurred  at 
the  time.  The  Nitrogen  is  apparently  rapidly  taken 
up  by  the  young  growing  plants  at  this  season  of  the 
year  and  only  a  small  portion  is  free  to  pass  into  the 
drainage.  The  greatest  losses  maj^  occur  in  the  fall, 
when  the  soil  is  bare  and  heavy  rains  occur,  the  Ni- 
trates having  accumulated  in  large  quantities  during 
the  warmer  period  of  the  year.  Large  losses  at  this 
season  are,  however,  prevented  by  the  growing  of  cover 
crops. 

Chile's  Supply  of  Nitrate. 

Investigation   Proves  It  Sufficient,  in  all  Likelihood 
to  Last  Several  Centuries. 

A  good  deal  has  been  said  in  this  country  and  in 
Europe  about  the  probability  of  the  Nitrate  beds  of 
Chile  being  exhausted  within  twenty  to  twenty-five 
years.  The  matter  has  been  the  subject  of  a  native 
government  investigation  with  the  result  that  the  in- 


^  pfants  vestigators  report  enough  to  last  for  several  centuries 

yet. 

^^  Of  interest  in  connection  with  the  report  of  a  new 

process  for  the  cheap  commercial  extraction  of  Nitrogen 
from  the  air,  for  use  in  making  fertilizers,  is  a  recent 
(Chilean)  government  report  on  the  Chilean  Nitrate 
beds.  It  is  estimated  that  the  state  still  possesses 
nearly  5,000,000  acres  of  Nitrate  grounds,  which  con- 
tain about  1,000,000,000,000  pounds  of  Nitrate.  Tak- 
ing half  this  figure  as  the  total  available  supply,  and 
assuming  an  annual  export  of  8,000,000,000  pounds, 
which  is  more  than  twice  the  amount  ever  sent  out  of 
the  country  in  any  one  year,  it  would  require  upwards 
of  125  years  to  exhaust  the  beds.  If  to  these  govern- 
ment beds  there  be  added  those  belonging  to  private 
persons,  the  final  exhaustion  of  the  supply  will  not  be 
for  another  two  or  three  hundred  years.  The  reported 
imminency  of  the  failure  of  the  Chile  beds  has  been  one 
of  the  reasons  urged  for  the  development  of  an  artificial 
process  of  manufacture,  up  to  this  time  a  failure  com- 
mercially. 

So  many  sensational  statements  have  been  made 
of  late  which  would  lead  one  to  suppose  that  the  ex- 
haustion of  the  supplies  of  Chilean  Nitrate  is  imminent, 
that  I  am  asking  you  to  help  dissipate  the  prevailing 
opinion  that  very  httle  Nitrate  of  Soda  is  now  left  in 
Chile  for  fertilizer  or  other  purposes. 

First  of  all,  there  is  a  vast  amount  of  unsurveyed 
Nitrate  ground  on  the  Chilean  pampas  that  is,  never- 
theless, known  to  contain  immense  quantities  of 
Nitrate  of  Soda. 

Second,  grounds  already  surveyed  still  contain 
enormous  quantities  of  Nitrate.  There  are  probably, 
in  round  numbers,  one  billion  tons  of  Nitrate  in  the  de- 
posits of  Chile,  and,  without  doubt,  large  supplies 
also  exist  on  lands  now  but  incompletely  prospected. 
The  surveyed  and  certified  tonnage  opened  up  at  the 
present  time  ready  for  extracting  is  fully  250,000,000 
tons. 

The  probable  life  of  the  surveyed  deposits  is  up- 
wards of  200  years,  even  allowing  for  a  steadily  in- 
creasing annual  rate  of  consumption. 


Moreover,  there  remains  the  interesting  question  pj^^f^'' 

as  to  whether  by  the  end  of  the  ensuing  century  we  may 

not  find  that  nature  shall  have  by  that  time  manu-       ^9 
factured   an   immense   additional   amount   of   Chilean 
Nitrate  for  the  uses  of  the  world. 

Sir  William  Crookes'  prophecy  that  the  world 
would  starve  for  lack  of  bread  as  soon  as  the  Chilean 
Nitrate  supplies  were  exhausted  has  for  some  years  led 
the  chemical  public  to  believe  that  a  wheat  famine  was 
in  sight,  but  that  time  is  so  far  distant  that  no  one 
living  to-day  need  have  misgivings  on  the  subject. 

Hints  for  Right  Use   of  Nitrate. 

The  points  to  be  observed  in  the  use  of  Nitrate  of 
Soda  are:  Avoid  an  excess;  do  not  sprinkle  the  wet 
foliage  with  dry  Nitrate;  and  in  general  Nitrate  must 
not  be  allowed  to  come  in  contact  with  the  stems  or 
leaves  of  plants.  Nitrate  of  Soda  is  immediately  avail- 
able as  plant  food.  Applications  of  Nitrate  of  Soda 
may  be  made  at  the  rate  of  100  pounds  per  acre  at  inter- 
vals of  two  or  three  weeks  during  the  growing  season. 

Nitrate  of  Soda  comes  from  South  hqw  to  Mix  and 
America  in  224-pound  bags,  and  is  usu-  Apply  Nitrate  of 
ally  thus  sold.     The  Nitrate  looks  much  Soda  and  Other 
like  coarse  salt.     The  lumps  should  be  FertiUzers. 
broken,  which  can  easily  be  done  by  turning  the  Nitrate 
out  on  the  barn  floor  and  breaking  them  with  the  back 
of  a  spade.     The  Nitrate  should  then  be  run  through  a 
sieve  with  a  mesh  not  larger  than  three-eighths  inch. 
It  will  then  be  ready  for  use. 

When  fertilizers  are  to  be  mixed  together,  pour 
the  right  quantity  of  each  in  a  pile  on  the  floor  and  turn 
them  over  two  or  three  times  with  a  shovel  until  they 
are  thoroughly  mixed.  It  is  a  good  plan  to  run  the 
whole  through  a  sieve,  which  will  completely  mix  the 
fertihzers.  The  mixing  should  not  be  done  more  than 
a  week  before  the  fertilizers  are  to  be  used,  as  the  mix- 
ture may  attract  moisture  and  get  hard  if  left  too  long 
after  mixing.  In  Europe  small  hand  machines  are  used 
by  farmers  for  grinding  and  mixing,  and  cost  about 
twenty -five  dollars.     They  are  also  in  use  in  America. 


In  applying  fertilizers  it  should  be 
g,°w*^^PPly     remembered   that   any   form   of  phos- 

lrllOSPI13.tlC  1         •  •  1  1  'IT  1       1 

Fertilizers.  pnoric   acid,   such   as   acid  phosphate, 

dissolved  bone-black  or  bone  meal  is 
only  partially  soluble,  and  will  not  circulate  in  the  soil. 
These  fertihzers  should  therefore  be  evenly  distributed 
over  the  soil  and  well  mixed  with  it.  This  is  usually 
best  done  by  applying  broadcast  before  sowing  the 
seed  and  before  the  ground  is  thoroughly  prepared. 
In  this  way  it  gets  well  mixed  with  the  soil. 

Nitrate  of  Soda,  on  the  other  hand,  will  diffuse 
itself  rapidly  and  thoroughly  throughout  the  soil 
wherever  there  is  enough  moisture  to  dissolve  it.  It 
can  therefore  be  applied  by  scattering  on  the  surface 
of  the  ground  as  soon  as  the  plants  are  up.  This  latter 
method,  called  "Top-Dressing,"  is  usually  the  best. 

Since  Nitrate  of  Soda  and  salts  of 
How  and  potash  are  brought  to  this  country  by 

FerSizine  ^^  ^^^'  ^^^  phosphate  is  usually  trans- 
Materials,  ported  from  the  mines  in  vessels,  all 
these  materials,  as  a  rule,  can  be  pur- 
chased at  the  seaports  cheaper  than  in  the  interior. 
New  York  is  the  largest  market  for  these  materials,  but 
Philadelphia,  Baltimore,  Charleston,  Savannah,  Mobile, 
New  Orleans,  Galveston,  and  San  Francisco  are  also 
ports  of  entry. 

Lower  prices  can  be  obtained  by  buying  fertilizing 
materials  in  car-load  lots.  A  car-load  is  not  less  than 
ten  tons.  If  you  cannot  use  a  car-load  yourself,  get 
your  neighbors  to  join  with  you.  Much  money  can 
often  be  saved  in  this  way. 

In  buying  always  consider  the  percentage  of  avail- 
able fertility. 

The  various  "brands"  of  fertilizers  are  composed, 
for  the  most  part,  of  substances  such  as  plaster,  fillers, 
superphosphate,  etc.,  which  can  be  manufactured  for 
much  less  than  the  prices  charged  for  these  substances 
in  so-called  "complete  fertilizers."  The  freight  charges 
on  these  are  just  as  high  as  on  the  essential  constituents, 
so  that  every  extra  hundred  weight  of  "filler"  is  useless 
expense. 


Food  for 

Cost  of  Transportation  of   Fertilizers.  Plants 

A  striking  illustration  of  the  difference  in  the  cost       ^^ 
of  transportation  by  four  different  ways  is  given  below: 

Cost  of  Transportation  per  Ton. 

Horse  power.  5  miles $1 .25 

Electric  power,  25  miles 1 .  25 

Steam  cars,  250  miles 1 .  25 

Steamships  on  the  lakes,  1,000  miles 1 .25 

RETABULATION  SHOWS  THAT: 

$1.25  Will  Haul  a  Ton— 

5  miles  on  a  common  road, 
123^  to  15  miles  on  a  well-made  stone  road, 
25  miles  on  a  trolley  road, 
250  miles  on  a  steam  railway, 
1,000  miles  on  a  steamship. 

It  will  be  seen  that  the  same  amount  of  money  it 
takes  to  haul  a  given  amount  of  produce  five  miles  on  a 
public  highway  of  the  United  States  will  pay  the  freight 
for  250  miles  on  a  railroad  and  1,000  miles  on  a  steam- 
ship line  on  the  lakes.  This  is  too  great  a  difference,  as 
will  be  admitted  by  all,  and  when  we  think  of  the  fact 
that  the  railroad  companies  are  ever  at  work  repair- 
ing and  improving  their  highways  while  the  farmer  is 
apparently  so  little  awake  to  his  own  interests  in  re- 
gard to  furnishing  himself  with  better  roads,  we  wonder 
why  it  is.  The  lesson  seems  plain  and  clear,  and,  as 
farmers,  let  us  continue  to  aid  the  good  road  move- 
ment throughout  the  country. 

Nitrate  of  Soda  is  essentially  a  seaboard  article; 
supphes  at  interior  points  are  not  always  available, 
hence  the  ports  of  entry  are  indicated  to  you  as  the 
best  sources  of  supply. 

It  has  been  the  custom  of  the  railroad  companies  to 
discriminate  heavily  against  Nitrate  of  Soda  by  charg- 
ing prohibitory  chemical  rates,  and  it  is  hoped  by  cor- 
rectly designating  the  material,  the  discrimination  will 
not  be  practiced. 

Farm  newspapers  generally,  are  quite  willing  to 
publish  wholesale  quotations  on  all  those  things  which 
the  farmer  has  to  sell,  and  they  have  not,  as  a  rule. 


Food  for  published  wholesale  quotations  on  those  articles  which 

^  he  has  to  buy.     Among  the  latter,  agricultural  chemi- 

22  cals  occupy  a  position  of  prime  importance,  not  only  as 
to  actual  effect  on  farm  prosperity,  but  as  to  the  actual 
amount  of  cash  which  the  farmer  has  to  spend,  for  his 
produce  comes  out  of  the  soil  and  its  amount  and  quality 
is  determined  by  the  character  of  the  chemicals  he  puts 
in  it.  Agricultural  journals  generally,  which  profess 
to  be  friends  of  the  farmer,  should  make  a  continued 
effort  in  the  direction  of  enhancing  his  purchasing 
power,  by  endeavoring  to  make  him  more  prosperous. 
This  cannot  be  done  under  old  conditions  of  helping 
to  make  him,  at  the  outset,  pay  such  a  large  bonus  for 
agricultural  chemicals  under  one  pretext  or  another. 

The  improvement  of  our  water-ways,  so  long  urged 
by  us,  seems  at  last  to  be  in  sight;  and  farm  chemicals 
at  lower  rates  may  ultimately  be  expected,  even  at  in- 
terior points. 

You  should  buy  your  plant  food  in  the  best  and 
cheapest  forms,  and  feed  it  to  the  plants  as  they  re- 
quire it.  You  can  buy  available  Nitrogen  in  Nitrate 
of  Soda  for  about  18  cents  per  pound.  In  so-called 
"complete  fertihzers,"  Nitrogen  costs  from  20  to  30 
cents  per  pound,  and  even  then  only  part  of  it  is  likely 
to  be  available.  Nitrate  of  Soda  is  the  best  form  in 
which  to  buy  Available  Nitrogen,— cheapest  also  be- 
cause quickest  acting. 

One  would  not  think  of  buying  raw,  unground 
phosphate  rock  for  phosphatic  plant  food ;  why,  then, 
should  one  ever  seriously  consider  buying  the  most 
expensive  plant  food,  viz.:  Nitrogen  in  the  raw  and 
indigestible  forms,  which  many  manufacturers  and 
dealers  endeavor  to  foist  on  our  farmers. 

Abstract  of  United  States  Experiment  Station 

Record. 

From  Massachusetts  Station  Report,  1905. 

Availability  Tests. 

Mixed  oats  and  peas  were  grown  this  year  in  con- 
nection with  comparative  tests  of  different  sources  of 


Nitrogen,  and  on  the  basis  of  yields  secured  the  ma-  p°°^^l°^ 

terials  ranked  as  follows:   Nitrate  of  Soda,  dried  blood,  

sulphate  of  ammonia,  and  barnyard  manure.     Based       ^3 
on  the  increase  of  all  the  crops  since  the  beginning  of 
the   experiments   the   relative   rank   was:     Nitrate   of 
Soda    100,    dried   blood    68.72,    sulphate   of   ammonia 
60.78,  barnyard  manure  80.58. 

On  the  grass  lands  receiving  different  fertilizer 
treatment  in  rotation  the  average  yield  of  hay  was  at 
the  rate  of  4,840  lbs.  per  acre  for  all  3  systems  of  man- 
uring. The  average  yield  in  this  test  from  1893  to 
1905,  inclusive,  was  6,479  lbs.  An  appHcation  of 
Nitrate  of  Soda,  after  harvesting  the  first  crop  of  grass, 
gave  but  a  relatively  small  increase  in  yield,  but,  in 
one  instance,  where  applied  at  the  rate  of  150  lbs.  per 
acre  an  increase  of  nearly  1  ton  of  rowen,  or  consider- 
ably^ more  than  sufficient  to  pay  the  cost  of  the  fer- 
tilizer, was  obtained.  The  results  in  determining  the 
relative  value  for  garden  crops  with  fertihzers  supply- 
ing respectively  Nitrogen  and  potash,  when  used  with 
manure,  show  that  on  the  basis  of  total  crops  produced 
the  standing  of  the  different  Nitrogen  fertilizers  is,  for 
the  early  crops,  Nitrate  of  Soda  100,  dried  blood  95.67, 
sulphate  of  ammonia  63.08,  and  for  late  crops  Nitrate 
of  Soda  100,  dried  blood  98.77,  sulphate  of  ammonia 
79.52.  For  15  years  the  relative  standing  of  the  fer- 
tilizers supplying  potash  is,  for  early  crops,  sulphate  of 
potash  100,  muriate  of  potash  94.66,  and  for  late  crops, 
sulphate  of  potash  97.09,  and  muriate  of  potash  100. 

From  United  States  Experiment  Station  Record, 
November,  1906. 

The  results  of  plot  experiments  with  wheat  here 
reported  indicate  that  the  Nitrate  alone  in  2  applica- 
tions was  more  effective  than  a  mixture  of  Nitrate  of 
Soda  and  sulphate  of  ammonia. 


^'^i^tl  How  to  Use  Chemical  Fertilizers 


=^4  to  Advantage. 

Crops  grow  only  in  consequence  of 
Grow        ^^^^        ^^^^  ^^^^  placed  at  their  disposal;  prac- 
tically, the  plant  foods  consist  of  cer- 
tain combinations  or  mixtures  of  Nitrogen,  phosphoric 
acid  and  potash.     All  soils  contain  some  of  these  plant 
foods,  and  few  soils  contain  them  in  very  large  quan- 
tities.    Fortunately  for  the  permanence  of  agriculture, 
nature  does  not  permit  these  natural  supplies  to  be 
drawn  upon  freely,  and  any  attempt  to  over-force  the 
soil  by  injudicious  farming  is  met  by  a  temporary  ex- 
haustion.   The  so-called  "artificial  ma- 
As  to  the  Na-        nures"  are  simply  chemical  or  organic 
cal^Man  res^^'       substances  which  contain  one  or  more 
of  the  three  elements  of  plant  food. 

The  use  of  Nitrate  of  Soda  is  well 
Nitrate  as  a  known  as  a  top-dressing  for  small  grains. 

Top-Dressing  Wheat  on  strong  clay  will  repay  an  ap- 
Gra?s'eTRoot  plication  of  100  pounds  of  Nitrate  per 
Crops  Pas-  acre,  even  it  already  heavily  lertilized. 

tures,  Soiling  For  Roots  100  pounds  at  seed  time  and 
Crops.  100    pounds    after    thinning    is    found 

profitable. 

The  form  of  Nitrogen  most  active  as 
How  Nitrate  plant  food  is  the  nitrated  form,  namely: 

WheTt'crops.  Nitrate  of  Soda.  All  other  Nitrogens 
must  be  converted  into  this  form  before 
they  can  be  used  as  food  by  plants.  Sir  John  Lawes 
wisely  remarks:  "When  we  consider  that  the  applica- 
tion of  a  few  pounds  of  Nitrogen  in  Nitrate  of  Soda  to 
a  soil  which  contains  several  thousand  pounds  of  Nitro- 
gen in  its  organic  form,  is  capable  of  increasing  the  crop 
from  14  to  40  or  even  50  bushels  of  wheat  per  acre,  I 
think  it  must  be  apparent  to  all  that  we  have  very  con- 
vincing evidence  of  the  value  of  Nitrate."  The  Nitro- 
gen of  Nitrate  of  Soda  is  immediately  available  as  plant 
food,  and  it  should  therefore  be  applied  only  when 
plants  are  ready  to  use  it.  By  such  a  ready  supply 
of  available  plant  food,  young  plants  are  able  to  estab- 


lish  such  a  vigor  of  growth  that  they  can  much  better  p?°'^.*°'" 

resist  disease,  and  the  attacks  of  insects  and  parasites.  

The   famous    experiments    of   Lawes    and    Gilbert    at       ^5 
Rothamsted    have  demonstrated   that 
cereals  utilize  more  than  three  times  as    Nitrate  Corn- 
much   of   the   Nitrogen   in  Nitrate   of    ^^^  ^rd" 
Soda  as  of  the  Nitrogen  contained  in    Manure 
farmyard  manure;  in  practice,  four  and 
one-half  tons  of  farmyard  manure  supply  only  as  much 
available  plant  food  as  100  pounds  of  Nitrate  of  Soda. 

Catch-crops  are  recommended  to 
prevent  losses  of  available  plant  food  ^^t^h-Crops. 
after  crops  are  removed.  Rape,  Italian  rye  grass,  rye, 
thousand-headed  kale  and  clovers  are  suitable.  All 
these  should  be  top-dressed  with  from  100  to  200 
pounds  per  acre  of  Nitrate  of  Soda,  depending  upon  the 
exhaustion  of  the  soil.  In  the  remarks  on  the  use  of 
Nitrate  in  this  sketch,  we  have  taken  it  for  granted 
that  our  readers  fully  understand  that  in  all  cases 
where  Nitrate  has  been  recommended  in  large  amounts, 
potash  and  phosphates  may  be  used  also  unless  the 
soil  already  contains  ample  supplies  of  both. 


Nitrate  of  Soda  Niter  in  Fertilizing. 

(Bulletin  24,  California  State  Mining   Bureau.) 


By  Dr.  Gilbert  E.  Bailey. 


All  plants  require  light,  air,  heat,  water,  cultiva- 
tion, and  a  fertile  soil.  Every  crop  removes  from  the 
soil  a  portion  of  the  plant  food  contained  therein,  and 
continuous  cropping  will,  in  time,  exhaust  the  richest 
soil,  unless  the  nutritive  elements  are  restored;  there- 
fore, the  truly  economical  farmer  will  feed  the  growing 
plant  or  tree  with  a  generous  hand.  The  literature  on 
this  subject  is  so  scattered  as  to  be  difficult  of  access 
to  the  general  reader,  and  the  following  notes  are  added 
in  order  to  give  some  general  idea  of  the  value  of  Nitrate 
of  Soda  in  fertilizing. 


^^Pkir  '^^^    most    important    material    used    to    supply 

Nitrogen,  in  the  composition  of  commercial  fertilizers 

26  is  Nitrate  of  Soda.  Nitrate  of  Soda  is  particularly 
adapted  for  Top-Dressing  during  the  growing  season, 
and  is  the  quickest  acting  of  all  the  Nitrogenous 
fertilizers. 

Dried  blood,  tankage,  azotine,  fish  scrap,  castor 
pomace,  and  cotton-seed  meal  represent  fertilizers 
where  the  Nitrogen  is  only  slowly  available,  and  they 
must  be  applied  in  the  fall  so  as  to  be  decomposed  and 
available  for  the  following  season.  Nitrogen  in  the 
form  of  Nitrate  of  Soda  is  available  during  the  growing 
and  fruiting  season,  possessing,  therefore,  a  decided 
advantage    over   all   other   Nitrogen   plant-foods. 

The  following  table  shows  the  number  of  pounds 
of  Nitrogen  removed  in  one  year  from  one  acre  by  the 
crop  specified: 

Crop.  Nitrogen. 

Wheat 35       bushels.  59  lbs. 

Rye 30       bushels.  51  lbs. 

Barley 40       bushels.  46  lbs. 

Oats 60       bushels.  55  lbs. 

Corn 50       bushels.  67  lbs. 

Buckwheat 30       bushels.  35  lbs. 

Potatoes 200       bushels.  46  lbs. 

Sugar  Beets 153^  tons.  69  lbs. 

Mangel-wurzel 22       tons.  150  lbs. 

Meadow  hay 23^2  tons,  dry.  83  lbs. 

Green  corn 113^  tons.  85  lbs. 

Alfalfa 8       tons.  113  lbs. 

Hops 600  lbs.  seed.  84  lbs. 

Tobacco 1,600  lbs.  89  lbs. 

Grapes 2       tons.  32  lbs. 

Cabbage 31       tons.  150  lbs. 

Oranges 10       tons.  24  lbs. 

In  the  following  tables  the  quantities  given  are 
merely  selected  to  express  the  average  equivalent 
amount  of  Nitrate  of  Soda  which  may  be  removed  by 
the  average  crops  taken  from  any  soil  in  one  season. 
It  is  not  intended  to  thereby  recommend  that  the 
same  amount  of  Nitrate  of  Soda  should  be  put  on  the 
soil  each  season,  but  merely  to  show  the  great  rate 
at  which  soil  exhaustion  of  Nitrates  proceeds. 


Fertilizer 

Nitrogen 

Nitrate  of 

m 

Soda. 

pounds. 

Per  acre 

Per  cent. 

Artichokes . . . 

500  lbs. 

18 

Asparagus.  .  . 

500 

22.5 

Barley 

300 

5 

Beans 

100 

14 

Beets,  sugar. 

300 

60 

Buckwheat. . 

100 

9.0 

Cabbage 

500 

60.0 

Carrots. 

300 

15.0 
18.0 

Celery 

700 

Corn 

150 

13.75 

Cotton 

100 

18.0 

Cranberry .  .  . 

200 

12.0 

Currants 

300 

16.5 

Egg-Plant. . . . 

400 

80.0 

Hemp 

200 

44.00 

Hops 

400 

30.00 

Horseradish. . 

300 

24 

Lettuce 

300 

50.0 

Melons 

300 

36.0 

Mint 

Oats 

Oranges 

Peas 

Potatoes,  Irish 

Radishes 

Rape 

Raspberry. .  .  . 

Rice 

Squash 

Strawberry. . . . 

Sunflower 

Tobacco 

Tomatoes 

Trees,  general . 

Turnips 

Wheat 


Fertilizer 

Nitrate  of 

Soda. 


Per  acre. 

700  lbs. 

100 

Per  tree. 

3 
Per  acre. 

200 

150 

240 
2,800 

300 

300 

200 

300 
■   300 

600 
1,400 

300 

200 

100 


Food  for 

Nitrogen  Plants 

in         

pounds.  27 


Per  cent. 
28 
10 


20 
21 
15 
24 
21 

13.5 

64.0 

45.0 

60.0 

54.00 

36.00 

8.00 

2.5 

3 


Chemical  fertilizers  are  used  freely  by  the  fruit 
growers  of  California,  and  their  use  among  the  farmers 
is  steadily  increasing.  One  reason  why  they  are  not 
used  more  extensively  is  that  they  have  to  be  imported 
from  the  East.  It  is  also  a  fact  that  the  total  amount 
now  used  is  only  a  small  percentage  of  what  should  be 
employed.  Everyone  will  admit  that  the  use  of  fer- 
tihzers  in  this  State  is  small  compared  with  their  use 
in  Germany,  where  they  are  employed  more  exten- 
sively than  by  any  other  nation. 

Soiling  Crops. 

"Soiling"  is  rapidly  becoming  recognized  as  the 
most  economical  method  of  stock  feeding;  practically, 
soiling  means  keeping  stock  confined,  and  using  green- 
cut  food.  It  is  now  known  to  be  much  more  eco- 
nomical than  pasturing,  not  only  that  more  stock  can 
be  kept  per  acre,  but  the  feeding  results  are  more 
profitable.  The  crops  chiefly  used  are  vetches,  the 
clovers,   rye,   buckwheat,   spurry,   fodder   corn,   stock 


^°Pknts  ^^^ts,  COW  peas,  etc.     A  succession  of  crops  should  be 

grown,   the   earhest   in   most   sections   being   crimson 

28  clover,  sown  the  previous  summer,  and  followed  by 
red  clover,  corn,  etc.,  and  ending  with  cow  peas  and 
the  vetches.  The  silo  is  used  to  store  green  food  for 
the  winter  months,  fodder  corn  being  most  commonly 
used  in  the  silo. 

A  rank  growth  of  forage  is  required,  and  the 
maturity  of  the  crop  is  not  a  consideration.  The  soil 
should  be  made  very  fertile  and  fertilizers  used  with  a 
free  hand.  Farmers  can  easily  test  the  value  of  heavy 
fertilizer  applications  in  soiling,  by  comparing  different 
parts  of  the  same  field,  differently  fertilized.  Apply 
per  acre,  just  before,  or  even  with  the  seed,  from  400 
to  800  pounds  of  phosphate,  and  as  soon  as  the  plants 
are  well  up,  top-dress  with  Nitrate  of  Soda,  using  300 
pounds  per  acre.  Top-dress  in  quite  the  same  manner 
for  second  crops.  It  is  a  quick,  rank  growth  of  green 
substance  that  is  wanted,  and  for  this  purpose  no  other 
form  of  Nitrogen  is  as  quick-acting  as  Nitrate  of  Soda. 


How  Money  Crops  Feed. 

The  substance  of  plants  is  largely 
Food  is  ^  water  and  variations  of  woody  fiber,  yet 
these  comprise  no  part  of  what  is  com- 
monly understood  as  plant  food.  More  or  less  by  acci- 
dent was  discovered  the  value  of  farm  yard  manures  and 
general  farm  refuse  and  roughage  as  a  means  of  increas- 
ing the  growth  of  plants.  In  the  course  of  time,  the 
supply  of  these  manures  failed  to  equal  the  need,  and  it 
became  necessary  to  search  for  other  means  of  feeding 
plants.  The  steps  in  the  search  were  many,  covering 
years  of  careful  investigation,  and  it  is  needless  to  go 
into  a  lengthy  description  here;  but,  as  a  result,  we 
have  the  established  fact  that  the  so-called  food  of 
plants  consists  of  three  different  substances.  Nitrogen, 
Potash,  and  Phosphates. 


These  words  are  popular  names,    j^^  p^.i^^i         l^^^tl"" 

and  are  used  tor  the  convenience  oi  the    Elements,  

general  public.     Nitrate  of  Soda  con-    Nitrate,  ^9 

tains  an  amount  equivalent  to  about  Phosphoric 
15  per  cent,  of  Nitrogen,  300  pounds  Acid,  Potash, 
to  the  ton,  and  cotton-seed  meal,  for  example,  about  six 
per  cent.  More  than  three  pounds  of  cotton-seed  meal 
are  necessary  to  furnish  as  much  available  Nitrogen  as 
one  pound  of  Nitrate  of  Soda.  We  value  the  plant  food 
on  the  amount  of  Nitrate  Nitrogen  it  contains,  and  on 
this  account  Nitrate  has  become  a  standard  name  for 
this  element  of  plant  food.  In  like  manner,  phos- 
phoric acid  and  potash  are  standards,  hence  the  im- 
portance of  farmers  and  planters  familiarizing  them- 
selves with  these  expressions.  We  always  should  think 
of  fertilizers  and  manures  as  just  so  much  nitrate, 
phosphoric  acid  and  potash,  as  we  can  then  at  once 
compare  the  usefulness  of  all  fertilizer  materials.  No 
doubt  other  substances  are  necessary  for  the  proper 
development  of  crops,  but  soils  so  generally  supply  these 
in  ample  quantities  that  they  may  safely  be  neglected 
in  a  consideration  of  soil  needs  and  plant  foods.  The 
food  of  plants  may  therefore  be  understood  to  mean 
simply  Nitrate,  Phosphoric  Acid  and  Potash. 

Farmyard  manure  acts  in  promot- 
ing plant  growth  almost  wholly  because    Why  Farm- 
it    contains    these    three    substances;    ^^^^^^^^ 
green    manuring    is    valuable    for    the    products  are 
same  reason  and  largely  for  that  only.    Valuable. 
Various  refuse  substances,  such  as  bone, 
wood  ashes,  etc.,  contain  one  or  more  of  these  plant 
food  elements,   and   are  valuable  to  the  farmer  and 
planter  on  that  account. 

The  Quality  of  Manures  and  Fertilizers. 

While  plant  food  is  always  plant 
food,  like  all  other  things  it  possesses    p^*^^*®        , 
the  limitation  of  quality.     Quality  in    i^jtrogf^!  ^ 
plant  food  means  the  readiness  with 
which  plants  can  make  use  of  it.     In  a  large  sense,  this 
is  dependent  upon  the  solubility  of  the  material  contain- 


piSfts°^   ing  the  plant  food — not  merely  solubility  in  water,  but 

solubility  in  soil  waters  as  well.     Fertilizer  substances 

3°  freely  soluble  in  water  are  generally  of  the  highest 
quality,  yet  there  are  differences  even  in  this.  For 
example,  Nitrate  of  Soda  is  freely  soluble  in  soil  liquids 
and  water,  and  is  the  highest  grade  of  plant  food  Nitro- 
gen; sulphate  of  ammonia  is  also  soluble  in  water,  but  of 
distinctly  lower  quality  because  plants  always  use  Ni- 
trogen in  the  Nitrate  form,  and  the  Nitrogen  in  sulphate 
of  ammonia  must  be  Nitrated  before  plants  can  make 
use  of  it.  This  is  done  in  the  soil  by  the  action  of 
certain  organisms,  under  favorable  con- 
Defects  and  ditions.  The  weather  must  be  suit- 
Use^of  Ordinary  ^^^^'  ^^^  ^^^^  ^^  ^  certain  condition;  and 
Nitrogens.  besides,  there  are  considerable  losses 
of  valuable  substance  in  the  natural 
soil  process  of  Nitrating  such  Nitrogen.  By  unfavor- 
able weather  conditions,  or  very  wet  or  acid  soils.  Ni- 
tration may  be  prevented  until  the  season  is  too  far 
advanced,  hence  there  may  be  loss  of  time,  crop  and 
money.  The  quality  of  nitrogens,  such 
Intrinsic  Values  as  cotton-seed  meal,  dried  fish,  dried 
of  aU  Nitrogens  blood,  and  tankage,  is  limited  by  condi- 
Nitrate^as  the  tions  similar  to  those  which  limit  sul- 
Standard.  phate  of  ammonia.  With  these  sub- 
stances, the  loss  of  Nitrogen  in  its 
natural  air  and  soil  conversion  into  Nitrate  is  very  great. 
Perfectly  authentic  experiments,  and  made  under 
oflScial  supervision,  have  shown  that  100  pounds  of 
nitrogen  in  these  organic  forms  have  only  from  one-half 
to  three-fourths  the  manurial  value  of  100  pounds  of 
Nitrate  of  Soda. 

Special  Functions  of  Plant  Food. 

As  stated  before,  plants  must  have 
Unusual  ^11  three  of  the  plant  food  elements— Ni- 

mtrnte.""^  ^^^^^'     Phosphates     and    Potash— but 

notwithstanding  this  imperative  need, 
each  of  the  three  elements  has  its  special  use.  There 
are  many  cases  in  which  considerations  of  the  special 
functions  of  plant  food  elements  become  important. 


For  exauiple,  a  soil  may  be  rich  in  organic  ammonia  Ij^^j^'' 

from  vegetable  matter  turned  under  as  green  manure, 

and  through  a  late  wet  spring  fail  to  supply  the  avail-  3i 
able  Nitrate  in  time  to  get  the  crop  well  started  before 
the  hot,  dry,  summer  season  sets  in.  In  this  case  the 
use  of  Nitrate  of  Soda  alone  will  force  growth  to  the 
extent  of  fully  establishing  the  crop  against  heat  and 
moderate  drouth.  This  method  of  manuring  is  simply 
Top-Dressing,  familiar  to  us  all. 

Nitrate  as  plant  food  seems  to  in- 
fluence  more    especially   the    develop-  ^^^"H^^^". 
ment  of  stems,  leaves,  and  roots,  which  ^^  Edible  Value 
are  the  framework  of  the  plant,  while  of  Plant, 
the  formation  of  fruit  buds  is  held  in 
reserve.      This   action   is,  of   course,  a  necessary  pre- 
liminary to  the  maturity  of  the  plant,  and  the  broader 
the  framework,  the  greater  the  yield  at  maturity.     The 
color  of  the  fohage  is  deepened,  indicating  health  and 
activity  in  the  forces  at  work  on  the  structure  of  the 
plant.     Nitrates  also  show  markedly  in  the  economic 
value  of  the  crop;  the  more  freely  Nitrates  are  given 
to  plants   the  greater  the  relative  proportion  in  the 
composition  of  the  plant  itself,  and  the  most  valuable 
part  of  all  vegetable  substances,  for  food  purposes,  is 
that  produced  by  Nitrate  of  Soda.     Nitrate  is  seldom 
used   in   sufficient   quantities   in   the   manufacture   of 
"complete  fertihzers."     Hence  the  general  dissatisfac- 
tion with  their  use. 

Potash  as  plant  food  seems  to  influence  more  par- 
ticularly the  development  of  the  woody  parts  of  stems 
and  the  pulp  of  fruits.  The  flavor  and  color  of  fruits 
is  also  credited  to  potash.  In  fact,  this  element  of 
plant  food  seems  to  supplement  the  action  of  Nitrate 
by  fining  out  the  framework  estabhshed  by  the  latter. 

Phosphoric  Acid  as  a  plant  food  seems  to  influence 
more  particularly  the  maturity  of  plants  and  the  pro- 
duction of  seed  or  grain.  Its  special  use  in  practical 
agriculture  is  to  help  hasten  the  maturity  of  crops  likely 
to  be  caught  by  an  early  fall,  and  to  supplement  green 
manuring  where  grain  is  to  be  grown.  It  is  frequently 
used  in  unnecessary  excess  in  "complete"  fertilizers. 

The  natural  plant  food  of  the  soil  comes  from  many 


^°Piants  s^^^^^S'  ^^t  chiefly  from  decaying  vegetable  matter  and 

the  weathering  of  the  mineral  matter  of  the  soil.    Both 

32  these    processes    supply    Potash    and 

TJo^^,^of  Si««f    Phosphoric  Acid,  but  only  the  former 
JNatural  Plant  |.      t.-..,      ,     '    ^^j-,     ,,  -      ,  .,  , 

Food.  supplies  JNitrate.     Whether  the  soil  has 

been  fertilized  or  not,  there  are  certain 

signs  which  indicate  the  need  of  plant  food  more  or 

less  early  in  the  growth  of  the  crop.     If  a  crop  appears 

to  make  a  slow  growth,  or  seems  sickly  in  color,  it  does 

not   greatly   matter   whether   the   soil   is   deficient   in 

Nitrate  or  simply  that  the  Nitrogen  present  has  not 

been  Nitrated  and  so  is  not  available;  the  remedy  lies 

in  top-dressings  of  the  immediately  available  form  of 

Nitrate  of  Soda. 


FERTILIZERS  EMPLOYED  AS  A   SOURCE 
OF   NITROGEN. 

Nitrate  of  Soda.  This  is  probably  the  best  known 
and  most  popular  source  of  nitrogen  amongst  farmers. 

Its  origin  is  the  extensive  deposits  of  crude  Nitrate 
of  Soda  discovered  in  the  rainless  districts  on  the  west 
coast  of  South  America. 

Since  all  nitrogenous  compounds  must  first  be  con- 
verted into  nitrates  before  being  assimilated  by  plants. 
Nitrate  of  Soda  contains  its  nitrogen  in  an  easily  assim- 
ilable form,  and  is,  therefore,  quick  in  action. 

Owing  to  this  fact,  it  almost  invariably  gives  best 
results  when  applied  in  two  or  more  applications,  the 
first  being  given  at  the  commencement  of  growth,  and 
the  succeeding  ones  at  intervals  of  from  two  to  three 
weeks. 


Sulphate  of  Ammonia.  The  origin  or  source  of 
this  material  is  coal,  which  contains  13/^  to  2  per  cent, 
of  nitrogen.  It  is  chiefly  a  by-product  of  gas  works. 
It  is  slower  in  its  action  than  Nitrate  of  Soda,  since,  in 
order  to  render  the  ammonia  available  to  plants,  it 
must  first  be  converted  into  a  nitrate,  which  process  is 
performed  by  certain  soil  bacteria. 


Lime    Nitrogen    (Kalkstickstoff).     A    new    nitro-  ^^''<*/°'^ 


genous   fertilizer   is   produced   by   combining   the   free 
nitrogen  of  the  atmosphere  with  Hme  and  carbon. 

1,  Kalkstickstoff  is  an  exceedingly  fine  black 
powder,  which  character  renders  it  difficult  of  appli- 
cation. 

2.  If  mixed  with  other  fertilizers,  such  as  acid 
phosphate,  the  mixture  rapidly  generates  a  great  heat 
and  gases  are  given  off,  some  nitrogen  being  lost  as 
ammonia  and  oxides  of  nitrogen. 

3.  In  storing,  it  must  be  very  carefully  protected 
from  moisture  for  the  above  reason. 

4,  Being  at  first  rather  poisonous  to  plants,  Kalk- 
stickstoff' is  totally  unsuited  for  application  to  a  grow- 
ing crop,  and  should  always  be  applied  to  the  land  at 
least  two  weeks  before  seeding. 

If  these  precautions  are  observed,  Kalkstickstoff 
may  give  results  eciual  to  Nitrate  of  Soda  and  sulphate 
of  ammonia  on  most  crops  and  soils. 

Some  of  the  slower  acting  sources  of  nitrogen  are: 

Red  Dried  Blood,  containing  13  to  14  per  cent, 
nitrogen. 

Black  Dried  Blood,  containing  6  to  12  per  cent, 
nitrogen. 

Hoof  Meal,  containing  12  per  cent,  nitrogen. 

Tankage,  containing  4  to  9  per  cent,  nitrogen. 

Concentrated  Tankage,  containing  10  to  12  per 
cent,  nitrogen. 

The  above  are  all  produced  from  slaughter-house 
refuse.  As  will  be  seen,  the  lower  grades  of  these 
substances,  viz.,  Black  Dried  Blood  and  Tankage 
(ordinary)  are  very  variable  in  composition. 

There  are  numerous  other  sources  of  nitrogen, 
such  as  the  various  fish  manures,  some  of  which  are 
valuable,  if  they  do  not  contain  too  much  oil,  which 
is  detrimental  to  the  soil,  as  it  hinders  decomposition. 

Then  there  are  others,  such  as  leather  meal,  wool 
and  hair  waste,  and  horn  meal.  The  nitrogen  in  these 
is,  however,  so  slowly  available  that  their  value  as 
fertilizers  is  small. 

It  is  none  the  less  necessary,  however,  that  the 
farmer  should  know  of  these  sources  of  nitrogen,  as 


Plants 


^o^dfor  iiiey   jjj-e   largely   used   in  fertilizer  mixtures,   for,   as 

— already    mentioned,    nitrogen    is    the    most    expensive 

34  ingredient  in  a  fertilizer,  and  it  is  a  great  temptation 
to  the  less  scrupulous  fertilizer  manufacturer  to  get 
his  nitrogen  from  the  cheapest  source,  and  in  a  mix- 
ture it  is  difficult  for  a  farmer  to  detect  the  various 
substances  of  which  that  mixture  is  composed. 

In  Nitrate  of  Soda,  Sulphate  of  Ammonia  and 
Dried  Blood,  we  have  three  nitrogenous  fertilizers, 
placed  in  the  order  of  the  availability  of  their  nitrogen. 
Dried  Blood  is  the  slowest  acting  form.  .  .  .  Nitrate 
of  Soda  is  exceedingly  quick  acting,  and,  therefore, 
ought  not  to  be  applied  long  before  the  crop  is  ready 
to  assimilate  its  nitrogen.  In  its  rate  of  action.  Sul- 
phate of  Ammonia  is  intermediate  between  the  two. 
.  .  .  The  special  virtue  of  Nitrate  of  Soda  is  due  to 
the  fact  that  it  provides  a  readily  available  supply  of 
nitrogen  to  the  young  plant  at  a  time  when  nitrifica- 
tion in  the  soil  is  only  commencing. 


Top-Dressings. 

Top-Dressing,  as  commonly  under- 
omants^^*^  stood,  means  simply  the  application  of 
plant  food  after  seeding,  and  after  the 
crop  has  made  some  growth.  It  has  various  objects, 
but  chief  among  them  is  the  fact  that  fall  sown  crops 
should  make  an  early  start  in  the  spring  in  order  to 
establish  an  extensive  root  system  (foraging  both  for 
food  and  water),  and  to  protect  the  soil  by  shading 
before  the  hot,  dry  days  come.  The  earlier  growth  of 
crops  is  largely  a  matter  of  Nitrate  plant  food,  but  in 
the  spring  the  soil  is  usually  wet  and  cold,  both  con- 
ditions unfavorable  for  the  action  of  organisms  which 
convert  the  stored  plant  food  into  Nitrates. 

A  very  late  spring  may  prevent  the  natural  and 
usual  Nitration  of  this  kind  of  plant 
How  Nitrate  food  though  large  quantities  may  have 

Saves  Time,  been   applied   in   the   form   of  organic 

Money,  and  the     ammoniates  and  other  crude  manures, 
^^°P-  so  that  the  warm  weather  finds   the 


crop  very  backward  and  a  full  crop  cannot  be  made.  pJ^J*'*" 

An  application  of  Nitrate  of  Soda,  the  most  quickly  

available  form  of  plant  food  in  commercial  use  as  a  35 
fertilizer,  soon  after  the  crop  shows  the  fresh  green  color 
of  new  growth  in  the  spring,  prevents  this  loss  of  time 
and  establishes  the  crop  so  as  to  resist  drouth  and  reach 
and  make  use  of  the  plant  food  necessary  for  the  ma- 
turity of  its  stalk  and  the  ripening  of  its  seed. 

Top-Dressings  are  also  made  to  ad- 
vantage  on  fruits  and  vegetables  from    pjJu^ts^  °^ 
which  the  proportion  of  valuable  prod- 
uce to   stalk  or  vine   is   so  great.     With  these  crops 
there  must  be  no  check  in  the  regular  growth  of  the 
plants,  and  Nitrate  of  Soda  alone  insures  this.     With 
other   forms   of   Nitrogen   plant   food, 
rains  or  cool  weather  interfere  with  the    How  all 
regular  supply  of  Nitrate,  by  checking    Nitrogen  is, 
the  action  of  the  organisms  which  cause    Nitrale?^and 
the    Nitration    of    crude    substances,    slowness  of 
Top-dressings  are  also  used  on  very  roll-    the  Process, 
ing  lands,  for  the  hill  tops  show  lighter- 
colored  foliage  in  prolonged  periods  of  dry  weather, 
then  light  applications  of  Nitrate  of  Soda  are  found  to 
be  profitable. 

On  heavy  clay  soils,  spring  working  is  impracti- 
cable, as  it  results  in  puddling  the  top  soil.  In  this 
case  fertilizers  cannot  be  worked  into  the  soil  even  for 
spring  planting,  and  Nitrate  of  Soda  is  used  in  the  form 
of  a  top-dressing  spread  broadcast. 

In  top-dressing  soils,  it  is  very  im- 
portant  to  secure  an  even  application    j^^^g^    °^" 
over  the  whole  area.     As  the  ordinary 
application  per  acre  is  about  100  pounds,  it  is  difficult 
to   get  an  even   di^ribution  unless   the  bulk  of  the 
material  is  increased.     The  best  method  of  doing  this 
is  to  crush  the  Nitrate  of  Soda  thoroughly  and  mix 
carefully  with  about  its  own  weight  of  fine  drj^  loam. 
This  mixture  should  only  be  made  immediately  before 
using,  though  the  Nitrate  may  be  crushed  at  any  time 
if  mixed  at  once  with  an  equal  bulk  of  fine,  clean  sand. 
Where^top-dressings  are  made  with  a  machine,  it  is 
necessary  that  the  mixture  be  dry. 


Food  for 
Plants 


Top-Dressing  Experiments. 


36       Results  of  ^^^^    official   Agricultural    Experi- 

Nitrate  on  ment  Stations  have  made  many  experi- 

Money  Crops.  ments  to  determine  the  value  of  top- 
dressings  of  Nitrate  of  Soda,  particu- 
larly the  New  Jersey  Station.  The  work  of  this  Station 
demonstrated  the  value  of  Nitrate  top-dressing  on 
various  fruits  and  vegetables.  The  Rhode  Island  Ex- 
periment Station  (see  Bulletin  71)  made  a  top-dressing 
test  on  grass  land  and  the  results  also  indicated  a 
profitable  use  of  this  chemical  fertilizer. 

The  experiment  was  made  on  three  plots,  all  of 
which  were  treated  with  ample  quantities  of  Phosphoric 
Acid  and  Potash.  One  plot  received  no  Nitrate,  one 
plot  a  top-dressing  of  150  pounds  per  acre,  and  the 
remaining  plot  a  top-dressing  of  450  pounds  of  Nitrate 
per  acre.  The  seed  used  was  one-quarter  red  clover, 
one-quarter  redtop,  and  one-half  timothy.  The  yield 
in  barn-cured  hay  was  as  follows: 

No  Nitrate 1 .  60  tons. 

150  lbs.  Nitrate 2 .  24  tons. 

450  lbs.  Nitrate ; 3 .  28  tons. 

The  season  was  not  good  hay  weather  on  account 
of  an  early  and  severe  drouth,  yet  the  top-dressing  of 
150  pounds  of  Nitrate  of  Soda  per  acre  increased  the  crop 
of  hay  40  per  cent.,  and  the  top-dressing  of  450  pounds 
gave  an  increase  of  105  per  cent.  In  summarizing  the 
results  the  Station  reports  that  in  spite  of  weather  so  un- 
favorable that  there  was  practically  no  second  crop,  a 
top-dressing  of  150  pounds  of  Nitrate  of  Soda  per  acre 
increased  the  crop  in  value  $6.94,  at  a  cost  for  Nitrate 
of  $3.30;  a  top-dressing  of  450  pouncls  per  acre  increased 
the  value  of  the  crop  $16.98  at  a  cost  of  $9.90. 

Plant  Food  Need  of  Crops. 

The   chemical   analysis   of    plants 
What  Crops  shows  the  actual  amounts  of  Nitrogen, 

Take  out  of  Potash  and  Phosphoric  Acid  they  con- 

Soils,  tain,  and  is  a  fairly  good  guide  for  the 


37 


omposition  of  fertilizers.     In  an  examination  of  the  p^°^^l^^ 
fertilizer    requirements    of    plants    by    studying    their 
analysis,  we  must  keep  in  mind  the  fact  that  the  whole 
plant  must  be  considered — not  only  the  grain,  straw, 
etc.,  but  also  the  stubble  and  roots. 

The  Storrs  Experiment  Station  of  Connecticut 
reported  on  an  experiment  with  timothy  hay,  with 
results  as  follows: 

Yield 
per  acre.  Nitrogen.  I'otash.  Phos.  Acid. 

Hay 3,980  lbs.       39 . 0  lbs.       51.5  lbs.       13 . 9  lbs. 

Stubble  and  roots.  8,223     "        90.1     "         55.8     "         25.2     « 


Total 12,203  lbs.     129.1  lbs.     107.3  lbs.       39.1  lbs. 

The  quantities  of  plant  food  actually 
contained  in  the  crop,  computed  on  the  o*^^^^*^l^^*f 
best  known  fertilizer  materials,  are  Nitrate  Food, 
represented  by  807  pounds  of  Nitrate 
of  Soda,  215  pounds  of  muriate  of  potash,  and  280 
pounds  of  acid  phosphate.  This  illustration  is  interest- 
ing as  showing  the  really  heavy  consumption  of  plant 
food  by  ordinary  farm  crops.  While  the  yield  in  this 
case  is  a  large  one,  it  is  precisely  such  yields  all  farmers 
are  striving  for.  It  is  probably  true  that  an  acre  appli- 
cation of  800  pounds  of  Nitrate  of  Soda  would  not  give 
profitable  returns  with  this  crop;  but  such  crops  actu- 
ally make  use  of  soil  Nitrogen  and  the  roughage  of  the 
farm,  and  to  do  this  most  effectively  top-dressings  of 
Nitrate  are  advised  to  "start  the  crop  off"  in  the  spring. 
In  actual  farming  operations,  the  greater  part  of 
the  timothy  crop  will  be  returned  to  the  soil  in  the  form 
of  farmyard  manure,  much  of  which  will  be  applied  in 
the  fall.  A  considerable  portion  of  the  Nitrogen  con- 
tained in  this  manure  will  be  converted  into  Nitrate 
during  the  fall  and  winter,  but  there  is  always  a  great 
lack  of  Nitrate  in  the  early  spring,  when  the  plants  most 
need  it,  and  this  shortage  continues  until  the  soil  warms 
and  becomes  less  charged  with  water,  when  the  organ- 
isms of  the  soil  are  enabled  to  convert  the  vegetable 
substance  containing  Nitrogen  into  the  form  suitable  for 
the  uses  of  the  plants.     Until  this  action,  the  plants 


^°piants  ^^^^^y  starve  for  Nitrate;  a  situation  instantly  relieved 

by  top-dressings  of  Nitrate  of  Soda. 

38 

Suggestions  for  Top- Dressing  Crops. 

It  must  be  understood  that  fertilizers  do  not  take 
the  place  of  tillage.  However  thoroughly  a  crop  may 
be  fertihzed,  without  proper  preparation  of  the  soil  the 
result  must  be  more  or  less  a  failure.  In  top-dressing 
it  is  very  important  that  the  Nitrate  of  Soda  be  thor- 
oughly ground,  so  an  even  distribution  can  be  made; 
the  fertilizer  must  go  to  the  plant,  not  the  plant  to  the 
fertilizer. 


From  New  Jersey  Agricultural 
Experiment  Station. 

Abstract  of  Bulletin  172. 
The  Cost  of  Active  (Available)  Nitrogen. 


By  Edward  B.  Voorhees  and  William  S.  Myers. 


The  annual  consumption  of  fertilizers  is,  as  near 
as  can  be  estimated,  7,000,000  tons,  which  at  an  aver- 
age cost  of  $25  per  ton,  makes  a  total  expenditure  of 
$175,000,000. 

This  great  quantity  of  fertilizer  is  being  used  for 
increasing  the  crops  of  grain,  hay,  potatoes,  fruits, 
market  garden  and  staple  crops.  The  money  is  ex- 
pended for  Nitrogen,  phosphoric  acid  and  potash,  and 
notwithstanding  the  claims  made  for  superior  brands 
and  special  formulas,  the  returns  have  been  alone  due 
to  the  actual  amounts  of  Nitrogen,  phosphoric  acid  and 
potash  that  these  crops  have  been  able  to  obtain  from 
the  total  in  the  fertilizers  used,  and  there  is  no  mystery 
of  mixing  about  it. 

Of  the  sum  annually  paid  for  the  three  constituents. 
Nitrogen,  phosphoric  acid  and  potash,  if  on  the  basis 
of  an  average  of: 

Ammonia 2% 

Available  phosphoric  acid 8% 

Potash 4% 


39 


over  one-half  is  paid  for  Nitrogen,  which  is  the  only  ^f^^^g^*" 
one  of  the  three  essential  elements  that  is  likely  to 
suffer  any  considerable  loss.  Thus  a  little  less  than 
half  of  the  total  expenditure  is  made  for  these  two  ele- 
ments— phosphoric  acid  and  potash.  The  remainder 
is  paid  for  a  constituent  which  in  organic],form  is  hkely 
not  to  be  available. 

Experiments  in  Germany,  England  and  the  United 
States,  conducted  along  this  line  for  years,  show  that, 


Quick  and  Luxuriant  Growth  of  Shrubbery,  Produced  in  Two 
Seasons  by  the  Use  of  Nitrate.     New  Jersey. 


on  the  average,  not  more  than  70  per  cent,  of  the 
quantities  of  Nitrogen  applied,  even  in  the  best  forms, 
is  recovered  in  the  crops. 

From  the  standpoint  of  crop,  it  is  evident  that  the 
utilization  of  Nitrogen  is  a  much  more  important  matter 
than  the  use  of  either  phosphoric  acid  or  potash.  Al- 
though the  further  fact  that  a  pound  of  any  kind  of 
Nitrogen,  capable  of  being  used  in  a  commercial  fer- 
tilizer, costs  from  four  to  five  times  as  much  as  a  pound 


^°pf  ^t*^  of  "available"  phosphoric  acid  or  of  potash,  is  an  added 

reason  for  greater  care  in  its  purchase  and  use. 

4°  Nitrogen  as  Nitrate  of  Soda  is  the  only  commer- 

cial form  of  active  Nitrogen  available  for  immediate 
use  by  most  plants;  Nitrogen,  as  ammonia,  is  less 
active  and  less  available  than  the  Nitrate. 

Organic  forms  of  Nitrogen  have  to  decay  first, 
changing  to  ammonia  and  then  to  Nitrate,  and  are 
therefore  less  active  and  less  quickly  available;  besides, 
they  vary  in  their  rate  of  availability  according  to 
the  source  of  supply  and  their  character.  Materials 
which  are  likely  to  decay  quickly,  as  dried  blood,  dried 
meat,  dried  fish  and  cottonseed  meal,  show  a  fair  rate 
of  availability,  while  forms  like  ground  leather  and 
ground  peat  show  a  very  low  rate  of  availability.  A 
pound  of  organic  Nitrogen  varies  much  in  availability, 
therefore,  according  to  its  source,  whether  derived  from 
dried  blood  or  peat,  or  from  intermediate  products, 
and  if  much  free  sulphuric  acid  is  present,  its  avail- 
ability is  retarded. 

Since  Nitrogenous  materials  are  variable  in  their 
rate  of  availability — that  is,  the  rate  at  which  the  Ni- 
trogen in  them  may  be  absorbed  by  the  plant — ^the 
farmer  should  know  the  degree  of  dependence  that  can 
be  placed  on  the  different  materials — ^he  wants  his 
Nitrogen  active  and  available.  Hence,  the  chemical 
and  physical  characteristics  of  the  various  forms  of 
Nitrogen  have  been  made  the  subject  of  very  consider- 
able study  and  investigation,  in  order  that  approximate 
values  in  respect  to  availability  may  be  assigned  to 
each  form.  Sufficient  work  has  been  done  thus  far 
to  establish  a  trustworthy  relationship  between  the 
Nitrate,  ammonia  and  organic  Nitrogen,  in  the  form 
of  dried  blood. 

The  very  extensive  investigations  conducted  at 
Darmstadt,  Germany,  show  that  for  the  crops  tested 
— namely,  barley,  oats,  rye,  wheat,  mangels,  sugar- 
beets  and  potatoes — there  was  returned  in  the  har- 
vest 62  parts  of  Nitrate  Nitrogen  for  every  hundred 
parts  applied;  44  parts  of  ammonia  Nitrogen  for 
every  hundred  parts  applied,  and  40  parts  of  organic 
Nitrogen   for   every    hundred   parts  apphed    as    dried 


blood.  In  no  case  is  the  recovery  equal  to  two- 
thirds  of  the  Nitrogen  applied;  besides,  there  are  wide 
variations  in  the  amount  recovered  in  the  different 
forms. 

In  1898,  plant  nutrition  experiments  were  begun 
at  the  New  Jevsey  Station,  one  object  of  which  was  to 
study  the  "relative  availability"  of  these  three  forms 
of  Nitrogen,  using  a  rotation  of  corn,  oats,  wheat  and 
timothy,— crops  which,  because  of  their  long  periods 


Food  for 
Plants 


•t  Hedge  at  Left  and  Vines  Showing  Result  of  One  Year's 
Use  of  Nitrate.     New  Jeisey. 


of  growth  would  be  likely  to  absorb  relatively  large 
l)roportions  of  organic  Nitrogen.  The  results  of  these 
experiments  for  two  rotations  (10  years)  show  that  the 
recovery  for  Nitrogen  as  Nitrate  Avas  02.09  parts  per 
hundred;  for  the  Nitrogen  as  ammonia  43.20  parts  per 
liundred,  and  for  organic  (dried  blood  Nitrogen),  40 
parts  per  liundred.  These  results  agree  almost  exactly 
with  those  obtained  at  Darmstadt.  Figuring  the  above- 
mentioned  returns  from  Nitrate  of  Soda,  since  it  shows 
the  highest  recovery  as  100,  the  relative  availability  of 


Food  for  tiie  Nitrogen  as  ammonia  would  be  69.7  and  of  Nitrogen 

as  dried  blood  64.4. 

42  These  figures  possess  a  very  great  practical  signifi- 

cance, as  they  have  a  direct  bearing  upon  the  profitable 
or  unprofitable  purchase  and  use  of  the  Nitrogen  con- 
tained in  the  fertilizers  now  offered  in  our  market. 

Commercial  conditions  fix  the  price  of  the  various 
Nitrogenous  materials.  There  is  no  strict  relationship 
as  yet  between  commercial  and  agricultural  values. 

Garbage-tankage,  tanned  leather  scraps  and  feath- 
ers are  used  in  large  quantities  in  some  of  the  large 
fertilizer  factories.  The  Nitrogen  in  these  products  is 
admitted^  much  less  available  than  is  that  in  dried  blood, 
and  its  cost  to  the  manufacturers  is  small.  For  gar- 
bage-tankage, leather  scraps,  feathers,  wool  waste  and 
peat,  prices  are  merely  nominal.  The  cost  of  handling 
and  reducing  these  products  to  forms  capable  of  being 
used  in  mixtures,  of  course,  naturally  adds  to  the  cost. 
These  materials  should  be  regarded  in  the  same  light 
as  the  insoluble  phosphates  and  potash  compounds — 
amendments  rather  than  sources  of  direct  supplies  of 
available  plant-food — and  be  paid  for  accordingly. 

Since  their  establishment,  the  Experiment  Stations 
have  consistently  urged  the  farmers  to  be  guided  in 
their  purchase  of  fertilizers,  not  only  by  the  quantities 
of  the  constituents  present  in  the  mixtures  offered, 
but  also  by  the  kind  that  is  used  in  them,  pointing 
out  the  importance  of  selecting  brands  which  contain 
high  percentages  of  available  plant-food,  more  especially 
of  Nitrogen,  because  of  its  relatively  greater  importance 
and  its  higher  cost.  The  results  obtained  in  the  inves- 
tigations referred  to  emphasize  very  strongly  the  wis- 
dom of  such  advice  in  reference  to  the  most  valuable 
element — ^Nitrogen . 

A  concrete  example  will  make  clearer  the  commer- 
cial phases  of  the  question.  The  analysis  of  the  vari- 
ous brands  sold  in  the  State  of  New  Jersey  in  a  recent 
year,  shows  an  average  of  2.5  per  cent,  of  total  Nitrogen, 
divided  as  follows: 

Nitrate 48%  or  19%  of  the  total 

Ammonia 77%  or  30%  of  the  total 

Organic 1 .32%  or  51%  of  the  total 


Assuming  that  the  forms  of  organic  Nitrogen  used  pf^^tl^"^ 

in  these  brands  were  as  good  as  in  dried  blood,  it  would  

require  1.55  pounds  of  the  organic  Nitrogen  to  furnish  +3 
as  much  "available"  Nitrogen  as  is  contained  in 
1  pound  of  Nitrate  of  Soda  Nitrogen  and  1.43  pounds 
of  the  ammonia  Nitrogen  to  furnish  as  much  "avail- 
able" Nitrogen  as  is  contained  in  one  pound  of  the 
Nitrate  of  Soda  Nitrogen.  Yet,  merely  because  of 
commercial  conditions,  the  farmer  paid  a  higher  price 
per  pound  for  his  organic  Nitrogen  than  he  paid  for  his 
Nitrate  and  his  ammonia  Nitrogen.  Using  the  same 
relations  that  exist  in  the  commercial  cost  of  Nitrogen, 
the  actual  prices  paid  were  for  organic  Nitrogen  ^6.5'^ 
cents  per  pound,  ammonia  Nitrogen  23.73  cents  and 
Nitrate  Nitrogen  23  cents.  At  these  prices,  the  Nitro- 
gen purchased  in  New  Jersey  last  year  cost  the  farmers 
about  $1,157,400  and  in  the  entire  country  nearly 
sixty  times  as  much. 

If,  however,  the  returns  from  the  different  forms 
of  Nitrogen  were  in  the  same  proportion,  as  indicated 
in  the  experiments,  which  must  be  admitted  to  be 
relatively  correct  for  Nitrate  and  ammonia,  and,  as- 
suming that  the  organic  was  as  good  as  that  in  dried 
blood,  the  cost  of  the  "available"  Nitrogen  in  the  three 
forms  actually  was: 

Per  lb.  Per  lb. 

For  organic.  .41  cts.     While     the     farmer  For  organic.  ..14.8% 

For  ammonia. 34  cts.     should  have  paid,  on  For  ammonia.  16.1% 

For  Nitrate .  .  23  cts.the  basis  of  availabihty  For  Nitrate. . .  23.0% 

and  a  saving  to  the  farmers  of  the  State  of  $383,940 
would  have  been  effected.  If,  therefore,  instead  of 
buying  organic  and  ammonia  Nitrogen,  Nitrate  of 
Soda  only  had  been  purchased,  the  same  gain  in  crop 
from  the  use  of  the  Nitrogen  could  have  been  purchased 
for  $733,460  instead  of  $1,157,500. 

Assuming  that  practically  the  same  relations  in 
forms  of  Nitrogen  existed  for  all  the  fertilizers  made 
and  sold  in  the  whole  country  this  year,  the  actual  cost 
of  the  Nitrogen  was,  in  round  numbers,  $60,000,000, 
while,  on  the  basis  of  efficient  availability,  it  should 
have  cost  but  $43,000,000. 


Food  for  The  point  of  importance,  therefore,  is  the  price 

^^^°^^  that  is  paid  for  the  organic  forms  of  Nitrogen.  In  the 
44  above  discussion,  it  has  been  assmned  that  the  organic 
Nitrogen  contained  in  the  fertihzers  has  been  derived 
from  dried  blood,  or  from  similar  materials.  As  a 
matter  of  fact,  however,  dried  blood  does  not  con- 
stitute even  a  large  proportion  of  the  organic  Nitrogen- 
ous materials  used — ^tlie  bulk  of  the  Nitrogen  being  de- 
rived from  products  of  a  lower  grade.    Various  kinds  of 


Hedge  of  California  Privet  Three  Years  Old,  Fertilized  for 
Three  Years  by  Nitrate.     New  Jersey. 

meat  and  bone,  tankage,  dried  fish,  fish  scrap,  cottonseed 
meal,  garbage-tankage,  leather  meal  and  even  peat, 
being  used  to  supplant  products  of  the  higher  grade. 
These  Nitrogen-carriers,  have  been  shown  to  have  a 
wide  range  in  availability,  the  leather  and  peat  rating 
in  availability  as  low  as  4  in  comparison  with  Nitrate 
at  100  and  barnyard  manure  as  low  as  3. 

It  may  be  urged,  first,  that  these  products  possess 
some  value  as  sources  of  Nitrogen  and,  second,  they 


have  physical  uses  as  an  absorbent  and  in  improving  ^J^^^g^^' 

the   condition   of   mixtures   containing   Nitrates,    acid 

phosphate  and  potash  salts,  and,  that  proper  conser-  45 
vation  of  natural  resources  demands  that  waste  Nitro- 
genous materials  should  be  utilized.  The  points  are 
conceded,  but  let  no  farmer  pay  a  high  Nitrogen  price 
for  a  mere  absorbent  filler  or  a  conditioner.  The 
Experiment  Stations  do  not  discourage,  but  strongly 
encourage,  the  utilization  of  waste  products  containing 
Nitrogen.  They  would  be  false  to  their  duty  to  the 
farmers,  however,  if  they  did  not  clearly  point  out  to 
them  what  is  known  of  the  real  agricultural  value  of 
such  products.  It  is  not  merely  a  question  of  use- 
it  is  a  question  of  cost. 

It  is  not  economy  to  save  refuse  Nitrogenous  ma- 
terials, if  the  cost  of  the  Nitrogen  to  the  farmer  is 
greater  and  his  returns  less  than  may  be  obtained  by 
the  use  of  Nitrogen  from  materials  of  known  value. 
Farmers  have  been  and  are  now  spending  thousands  of 
dollars  for  Nitrogen  for  which  they  do  not  receive  even 
a  proportionate  return. 

To  the  farmer,  it  should  be  purely  a  business  propo- 
sition. He  buys  Nitrogen,  in  order  that  he  may  get 
a  return  in  his  crop.  If  in  one  case  100  pounds  of 
Nitrogen  contributes  60  pounds  to  the  crops  upon 
which  it  is  applied,  and  in  another  100  pounds  con- 
tributes but  40  pounds  to  the  crops,  the  purchaser 
should  not  pay  the  same  for  the  second  as  for  the  first, 
for  if  he  did  so  he  would  pay  50  per  cent,  more  per 
pound  for  his  "available"  Nitrogen.  That  is,  if  the 
cost  of  one  hundred  pounds  of  Nitrate  Nitrogen  was 
$14,  the  cost  of  the  dried  blood,  one  hundred  pounds 
of  Nitrogen  should  be  but  $10,  for  the  basis  of  value 
is  the  amount  available  in  each  case. 


How  Nitrate  of  Soda  Helps  Crops. 

The  highest  agricultural  authorities  have  estab- 
lished by  careful  experimentation  that  100  pounds  per 
acre  of  Nitrate  of  Soda  appliedjto  crops  has  produced 
the  INCREASED  yields  tabulated  as  follows: 


Food  for  Barley 400  lbs.  of  grain. 

^^^°*"  Oats 400    " 

46  Rye 300    " 

Wheat 300    " 

Potatoes 3,600    "      Tubers. 

Hay,  upwards  of 1,000    "      Barn  cured. 

Cotton 500    "      Seed  cotton. 

Sugar  Beets :   4,000    "      Tubers. 

Beets 4,900    " 

Sweet  Potatoes 3,900    " 

Cabbages 6,100  Pounds. 

Carrots 7,800  Pounds. 

Turnips 37  per  cent. 

Strawberries 200  quarts. 

Onions 1,800  Pounds. 

Asparagus 100  bunches. 

Tomatoes 100  baskets. 

Celery 30  per  cent. 

Hops 100  pounds. 

Nitrate  of  Soda  is  a  plant  tonic,  and  an  energizer; 
is  it  NOT  a  stimulant  in  any  sense  of  the  word. 

It  may  be  used  alone,  without  other  fertilizers,  as  a 
Top-dressing,  at  the  rate  of  not  more  than  100  pounds 
to  the  acre. 


Profits  from  the  Use  of  Fertilizers. 

The  aim  usually  in  the  use  of  artificial  fertilizers 
is  to  so  supplement  soil  supplies  of  plant-food  as  to 
obtain  a  profit,  and,  as  already  intimated,  the  profits 
for  the  different  crops  will,  to  some  extent,  be  in  pro- 
portion to  their  economical  use  of  the  constituents 
applied.  Still,  one  should  not  be  deterred  from  the  use 
of  fertilizing  materials,  even  if  the  conditions  should 
render  the  application  apparently  wasteful,  or  a  small 
recovery  of  the  constituents  appKed,  provided  the  in- 
crease in  yield  will  more  than  pay  the  cost  of  the  appli- 
cation. The  farmer  should  calculate  what  increase  in 
crop  it  is  necessary  for  him  to  obtain  in  order  to  make 
the  use  of  fertilizers  profitable,  and  if  only  this  is  ob- 
tained he  should  not  condemn  their  use.  Many  persons 
seem  to  have  gotten  the  impression  that  there  is  some 
mystery  connected  with  fertilizers,  and  that  their  use 
is  a  gamble  at  best,  and  are  not  satisfied  unless  the 


returns  from  the  investment  in  them  are  disproportion-  pj^^^g^*^ 

ately  large.     We  very  often  hear  the  statement  that,  

by  the  use  of  certain  fertiHzers,  the  crop  is  doubled  or       47 
tripled,  as  if  this  were  a  remarkable  occurrence  and 
partook  of  the  nature  of  a  mystery.     Such  results  are 
not  mysterious — they  can  be  explained;  they  are  in 
accordance  with  the  principles  involved. 

In  an  experiment  on  celery  it  was  shown  that  the 
weight  of  celery  from  an  application  of  400  pounds  per 
acre  of  Nitrate  of  Soda  was  two  and  one-half  times 
greater  than  that  obtained  on  the  land  upon  which  no 
Nitrate  was  used,  and  that  very  great  profit  followed 
its  use.  This  result,  while  remarkable  in  a  way,  was 
not  mysterious;  if  all  the  Nitrogen  applied  had  been 
used  by  the  crop,  there  would  have  been  a  still  greater 
increase.  It  simply  showed  that  where  no  extra  Nitro- 
gen had  been  applied  the  plant  was  not  able  to  obtain 
enough  to  make  the  crop  what  the  conditions  of  the 
season  and  soil,  in  other  respects,  permitted.  In  other 
icords,  that  the  soil  did  not  contain  a  complete  food;  the 
Nitrogen  icas  necessary  to  supply  the  deficiency.  Favor- 
able conditions  are,  however,  not  uniform,  and  vari- 
ations in  return  from  definite  applications  must  be 
expected. 

It  is  quite  possible  to  have  a  return  of  $50  per  acre 
from  the  use  of  $5  worth  of  Nitrate  of  Soda  on  crops  of 
high  value,  as,  for  example,  early  tomatoes,  beets,  cab- 
bage, etc.  This  is  an  extraordinary  return  for  the  money 
invested  and  labor  involved;  still,  if  the  value  of  the  in- 
creased crop  from  its  use  was  but  $10,  or  even  $8,  it 
should  be  regarded  as  a  profitable  investment,  since  no 
more  land  and  but  little  more  capital  was  required  in 
order  to  obtain  the  extra  $5  or  $3  per  acre.  It  is  the 
accumulation  of  these  little  extras  that  oftentimes 
change  an  unprofitable  into  a  profitable  practice. 


Food  for  PRACTICAL   SUGGESTIONS   AS   A  RESULT   OF 

Ptarifc 

EXPERIMENTS. 


I.     For  Crops  of  High  Commercial  Value. 

It  is  well  understood  by  all  market 
CroDs^  ^^  ^^  gardeners  that,  in  their  business,  liberal 
manuring  must  be  practised,  and  that 
the  manures  used  must  contain  an  abundance  of  Nitro- 
gen, that  may  be  quickly  used  by  the  plant,  if  rapidity 
of  growth  and  early  maturity  are  to  be  attained.  The 
experiments  with  Nitrate  of  Soda  were,  therefore, 
planned  to  show  in  which  directions  the  benefits  from 
its  use  were  observed^ — whether,  for  example,  in  the 
larger  yield  of  a  crop  of  the  same  general  character;  or 
whether,  together  with  the  larger  yield,  there  was  an 
earlier  maturity  of  those  crops  in  which  early  matiu'ity 
is  an  important  factor;  or  whether  the  marketable  qual- 
ity was  improved,  thus  returning  a  larger  profit  for  the 
same  yield;  or  whether  all  of  these  factors  were  involved; 
and  the  results  showed  that,  as  a  whole,  benefits  were 
obtained  in  all  these  directions.  The  more  important 
crops  of  this  class  were  included  in  these  experiments. 
In  the  growing  of  this  crop,  whose 

iSts  ^^^^^^  ^^y  ^^^^^  ^^^^  ^^^^  ^^  ^^^^ 

per  acre,  the  amount  of  plant-food  an- 
nually applied  is  usually  far  in  excess  of  that  removed 
in  the  crops  of  any  year,  in  order  to  guarantee  against 
any  shortage  of  food  should  unfavorable  weather  con- 
ditions intervene;  the  crop  must  be  kept  growing  at  all 
hazards.  In  good  practice  an  application  of  from 
fifteen  to  twenty  tons  of  manure  and  about  one  ton  of 
a  high-grade  commercial  fertilizer  are  used  per  acre. 
The  plants  are  usually  grown  under  glass,  and  trans- 
planted as  soon  as  the  land  is  fit  to  work.  Hence  the 
questions  asked  by  the  experimenter  were,  first, 
whether  an  additional  application  of  Nitrogen  in  the 
form  of  a  Nitrate  would  be  a  profitable  practice  in  con- 
nection with  this  heavy  application  of  all  of  the  plant- 
food  constituents,  and  second,  how  much  should  be 
ased.     The  applications,  therefore,  ranged  from  400  to 


700  pounds  per  acre.     The  results  from  the  experiments  p?®*^^^'^ 

of  two  years  were  emphatic  in  showing  an  increase  in . 

yield  and  a  considerable  profit  each  year,  and  though       49 
the  profits  were  not  in  proportion  to  the  amount  of 

Ash. 


Without  Dressing. 


With  300  lbs.  Nitrate  of  Soda 
to  the  Acre. 


Nitrogen  applied,  the  largest  net  returns  were  obtained 
from  the  heaviest  apphcations;  the  average  net  return 
per  acre  from  400  pounds  was  $24.40,  and  from  700 
pounds,    $47.55.     The   influence   of   the   Nitrate ,  was 


^°Piant^  noticeable  mainly  upon  the  earliness  of  crop.     In  the 

first  experiment  the  yield  of  the  first  picking  was  63 

5°  per  cent,  greater  from  the  Nitrated  plots  than  from  the 
one  upon  which  no  additional  Nitrate  had  been  used. 
The  extra  early  yield,  for  which  the  highest  prices  were 
obtained,  was  increased  from  8.3  per  cent,  on  the  plot 
on  which  400  pounds  were  used  to  12.8  per  cent,  on 
the  plot  which  received  700  pounds  per  acre,  an  in- 
creased yield  at  a  less  cost  per  unit  of  harvesting — 
points  of  great  importance. 

The  amounts  used  mav  range  from 
tiJe  Nhmte  ^'""^  400  to  800  pounds  per  acre,  depending 
upon  the  conditions,  always  remember- 
ing that  the  richer  the  soil  and  the  better  its  condition 
the  larger  will  be  the  amount  of  Nitrate  that  can  be 
used  to  advantage.  The  beets  are  usually  transplanted, 
and  one-half  of  the  amount  of  Nitrate  of  Soda  used  may 
be  applied  either  before  transplanting  or  immediately 
after,  and  in  about  three  weeks  the  balance  may  be  ap- 
plied. In  applying  Nitrate  after  the  plants  have  made 
considerable  growth  of  top,  care  should  be  taken  to  dis- 
tribute it  as  near  as  possible  between  the  rows,  or,  if 
broad-casted,  only  when  the  leaves  are  perfectly  dry,  so 
that  all  of  the  salt  may  reach  the  soil,  and  thus  not  be 
hable  to  injure  the  plants.  Where  it  does  not  seem 
practicable  to  make  the  application  of  Nitrate  of  Soda 
separately,  then  the  Nitrate,  in  the  quantity  desired, 
may  be  mixed  with  the  commercial  fertilizer  and  all 
applied  at  the  same  time.  This  practice  saves  labor 
and  danger  of  injuring  the  foliage,  though  it  may  result 
in  a  slight  loss  of  the  Nitrate,  as  it  should  be  apphed 
long  enough  before  the  plants  are  set  to  permit  of  its 
thorough  distribution  in  the  soil.  Still,  the  danger  of 
loss  is  not  great,  unless  the  season  is  so  extremely  wet 
as  to  prevent  cultivation. 

In  the  case  of  asparagus,  which  is  a 
Asparagus.  perennial,  the  final  results  of  the  experi- 

ments have  not  yet  been  secured,  though  the  experience 
of  practical  growers  is  unanimous  in  favor  of  its  use. 
This  crop,  as  is  the  case  with  early  beets,  requires  heavy 
manuring  or  fertihzing,  or  both,  for  the  highest  profit. 
The  advantage  of  the  extra  dressings  of  Nitrate  of  Soda 


over  other  forms  of  Nitrogen  lies  chiefly  in  the  fact  that  ^ood  for 
it  may  be  appropriated  immediately,  either  for  supply-  ^^^"*^ 
ing  the  needs  early  in  the  season  or  to  stimulate  the       si 

Norway  Maple. 


With  Manure  Alone. 


With  Manure  and  300  lbs.  Ni- 
trate of  Soda  to  the  Acre. 


growth  of  tops  after  cutting  has  ceased  and  the  crowns 
are  exhausted.  Where  manure  is  used  alone  in  liberal 
amounts,  the  top-dressing  with  Nitrate  would  not  be 


^^Pilnts  ^^^^^y  t^  ^^  ^o  useful  an  adjunct  as  where  commercial 

fertilizers,    containing    high   percentages    of    minerals, 

52  have  been  used,  as  it  must  be  remembered  here,  as 
always,  that  Nitrogen  is  not  a  complete  food,  but  an 
element  of  food,  and  cannot  exert  its  full  effect  except 
in  the  presence  of  the  necessary  supply  of  the  mineral 
elements. 

,,  ^,    ,      ,  In  the  early  spring,  as  soon  as  the 

Methods  of  i       1    •      /-^    ^  ir-      .        .  i       1      i 

Using  Nitrate.  ^^^^  ^^  ^^  ^^  cultivate,  the  beds  are 
ploughed  or  cultivated,  throwing  the 
earth  away  from  the  crowns,  and  commercial  fertili- 
zers, rich  in  Nitrogen— 5  to  6  per  cent. — are  applied, 
over  the  row,  at  the  rate  of  800  to  1,000  pounds  per 
acre.  As  asparagus  is  a  perennial,  and  the  growth 
in  the  spring  depends  largely  upon  the  food  stored 
up  in  the  roots  in  the  fall,  the  effect  of  the  spring 
application  is  not  so  noticeable  in  the  early  cuttings, 
but  materially  benefits  the  later  cutting.  Commercial 
beds  are  usually  cut  for  about  two  and  one-half  months, 
and  this  long  period  of  continuous  removal  of  shoots 
reduces  the  vitality  of  the  crowns,  and  because  the 
vigor  of  growth  and  size  of  the  tops  measures,  to  a 
marked  degree,  the  size  of  the  next  crop,  as  soon  as 
cutting  is  finished  from  250  to  400  pounds  per  acre  of 
Nitrate  of  Soda  should  be  applied.  The  roots  immedi- 
ately absorb  this  available  form  of  Nitrogen,  v>^hich 
stimulates  and  strengthens  the  plant,  and  enables  it  to 
appropriate  the  excess  of  minerals  which  have  been 
applied,  and,  as  a  consequence,  a  large,  vigorous  and 
healthy  growth  of  top  is  made,  which  not  only  results 
in  storing  the  food  in  the  roots  for  use  the  next  season, 
but  it  enables  the  plant  to  resist  the  ravages  of  the  rust. 
There  is  no  other  form  of  Nitrogen  that  can  be  used  or 
other  means  by  which  this  object  can  be  so  readily 
accomplished  as  by  a  hberal  supply  of  Nitrate  of  Soda, 
and  the  result  is,  not  only  a  larger  yield,  but  a  greater 
proportion  of  large  shoots,  which  increases  the  market 
value  of  the  crop;  the  growers  who  practice  this  system 
have  no  difficulty  in  contracting  their  entire  crop  from 
year  to  year  at  very  remunerative  prices, 
p,    .    ^  A  careful  study  of  the  special  needs 

ar  y    oma  oes.     ^£  plants  shows  that  there  is  no  other 


one  crop  that  responds  more  favorably  to  the  use  of  p^^^^l^^ 

immediate W  available  Nitrogen  than  early  tomatoes.  _ — 

The  influence  of  the  use  of  Nitrate  is  not  only  shown  in  53 
the  increase  in  tlie  yield — ^in  some  cases  practically 
doubling  it — but  in  the  improved  quality  of  crop,  and 
because  of  tlie  larger  crop  an  increased  maturity  is  vir- 
tually secured.  These  are  all  points  of  extreme  prac- 
tical importance.  The  results  of  all  the  experiments 
conducted  in  different  parts  of  the  country  and  in 
different  seasons  show  an  average  gain  in  yield  of  about 
50  per  cent.,  with  an  average  increased  value  of  crop 
of  about  $100  per  acre. 

In   the   growth   of   this   crop   two    ^^    .     ,      . 
Li      1  11  r         1  1        Methods  ot 

methods    are    used,    dependmg    largely    practice. 

upon  the  character  of  the  soil  and  its 
previous  treatment  in  reference  to  commercial  fertili- 
zers or  manures.  In  the  first,  wdiere  the  farmyard 
manure  and  commercial  fertilizers,  rich  in  minerals, 
have  been  used  on  previous  crops,  then  Nitrogen  in 
tlie  form  of  Nitrate  only  is  used,  and  the  application 
ranges  from  150  to  250  pounds  per  acre.  By  this 
method  the  yields  are  not  so  large,  but  the  crop  is 
usually  earlier,  and  the  net  profit  is  quite  as  great  as 
if  larger  applications  of  manure  or  fertilizer  w^ere  made 
at  the  time  of  setting  the  plants.  The  object  is  early 
tomatoes,  and,  under  average  conditions  of  season 
and  markets,  any  application  of  fertilizer  or  any  prac- 
tice which  would  tend  to  encourage  a  later  growth 
or  longer  season  would  reduce  proportionately  the  net 
profits. 

In  the  other  method,  farmyard  manures  are  usu- 
ally spread  upon  the  soil  in  tlie  fall  or  winter,  thor- 
oughly worked  into  the  soil  in  the  spring.  A  fertilizer 
containing  chiefly  phosphoric  acid  and  potash  is  applied 
broadcast  i)revious  to  setting  the  plants,  and  at  the 
time  of  setting  an  application  of  100  to  150  pounds  per 
acre  of  Nitrate  of  Soda  is  applied  around  the  hill  or 
over  the  row.  After  two  or  three  weeks,  depending 
upon  the  season  and  the  relative  growth  of  the  plants, 
another  application  of  Nitrate  of  Soda  at  the  same 
rate  is  made.  This,  because  it  minimizes  the  inter- 
ruption in  the  feeding  of  the  plant  by  furnishing  im- 


^°pianr  J^^diately  available  Nitrogen,  causes  not  only  an  in- 
crease in  the  yield  and  marketable  quality  of  the  entire 


54  crop,  but  it  materially  increases  the  quantity  of  early 
fruit.  The  results  of  four  years'  experiments  show 
that,  by  this  method,  the  value  of  the  increased  yield 
of  what  may  be  regarded  as  extra  early  fruit  averaged 
about  $45  per  acre. 

+    A    1  Asin  other  cases,  care  should  be  used 

NitTate.  ^^  ^^^  application  of  Nitrate;  it  should 

not  come  in  too  close  contact  with 
the  plants,  and,  if  broadcasted  after  the  plants  are 
set,  it  should  be  done  when  they  are  dry,  so  that  all 
of  the  Nitrate  may  reach  the  soil.  Where  a  larger 
quantity  is  used,  as,  for  example,  300  pounds  or  more, 
it  is  very  desirable  that  fractional  dressings  should  be 
made,  though  care  should  be  used  not  to  make  the 
second  application  too  late,  as  it  encourages  a  later 
growth  of  plants  and  retards  maturity. 

Cabbage  is  a  gross  feeder,  and 
ary  a  age.  ^j^^  crop  can  utilize  large  quantities  of 
plant-food  to  good  advantage.  The  experiments  with 
this  crop  show  that  even  where  the  land  has  been  fer- 
tilized with  what  would  be  regarded  as  reasonable 
amounts  of  fertilizers  adapted  for  the  purpose,  extra 
dressings  of  Nitrate  have  given  very  profitable  returns. 
The  yield  has  been  increased  from  40  to  80  per  cent, 
and  the  net  value  of  crop  from  $53  to  $80  per  acre. 
The  experiments  also  show  that  what  may  be  regarded 
as  a  large  quantity  of  Nitrate,  namely,  400  pounds  per 
acre,  is  superior  to  any  smaller  quantity,  and  further, 
that  this  had  better  be  applied  in  two  rather  than  in 
a  greater  number  of  fractional  dressings,  as  the  later 
applications  have  a  tendency  to  disproportionately  in- 
crease leaf  growth  and  retard  heading.  The  most  re- 
markable effect  of  the  Nitrate  is  shown  in  the  influence 
it  exerts  upon  the  marketable  quality  of  the  crop.  In 
the  experiments  conducted  the  addition  of  Nitrate  re- 
sulted in  more  than  doubling  the  value  of  those  heads 
which  were  marketable — that  is,  where  no  Nitrate  was 
applied,  $1  per  hundred  was  received,  and  where  400 
pounds  of  Nitrate  were  used  the  price  was  $2.50  per 
hundred.     These  results  suggest  a  reason  for  the  lack 


of  success  of  many  growers,  who  depend  solely  upon  ^J^J°^ 

applications  of  mixed  fertilizers.  

On  soils  well  adapted  for  the  crop        m  th  ds  of  ^^ 

—  medium  sandy  loams  —  the  land  Application, 
should  be  plowed  early  and  well  culti- 
vated. If  manures  are  readily  attainable,  a  dressing 
of  ten  tons  per  acre  may  be  applied  and  well  worked 
into  the  soil;  previous  to  setting  the  plants  a  fertilizer 
rich  in  Nitrogen,  one  containing  6  to  7  ammonia,  6  to 
8  phosphoric  acid,  and  6  to  8  potash,  should  be  applied, 
preferably  broadcast,  at  the  rate  of  800  to  1,000  pounds 
per  acre.  At  the  time  of  setting,  or  very  shortly  after, 
Nitrate  of  Soda,  at  the  rate  of  200  pounds  per  acre, 
should  be  applied,  preferably  along  the  row,  and  cul- 
tivated in ;  this  followed  two  or  three  weeks  later  with  a 
second  dressing  of  200  pounds.  The  effect  of  these 
applications — that  is,  the  presence  of  an  abundance  of 
available  Nitrogen — ^\\dll  be  to  stimulate  and  strengthen 
the  plant,  so  that  it  will  make  use  of  all  of  the  other 
food  in  the  soil,  and  be  able  to  overcome,  in  a  great  de- 
gree, any  unfavorable  conditions  that  may  prevail  later 
in  the  season.  The  natural  tendency  of  the  plant  to 
absorb  food  is  gratified,  and  a  maximum  crop  is  the 
result. 

This  is  a  crop  of  very  considerable  Table 

importance  in  market  garden  districts,  Turnips, 
and  in  certain  sections  is  very  profit- 
able. The  profit,  other  things  being  equal,  is  measured 
by  the  earliness  with  which  the  crop  may  be  gotten  into 
the  market.  The  gains  obtained  in  the  experiments 
from  the  use  of  Nitrate  have  ranged  from  30  to  over 
100  per  cent.,  according  to  the  amount  applied  and 
method  of  application.  The  increased  value  of  crop, 
due  to  the  Nitrate,  averaged  about  $30  per  acre— a 
very  handsome  return  from  the  use  of  the  extra  fer- 
tilizer. 

Where  soils  have  been  previously        m  tv,  d   of 
liberally  fertilized,  particularly  with  the       Application, 
mineral    elements,    the    recommenda- 
tions for  fertilizers,  which  have  in  practice  proved  very 
satisfactory,  are  as  follows:   Prepare  the  soil  early  and 
apply  a  light  dressing  of  manure,  either  previous  to 


^*Pilnts  plowing  or  after  plowing,  and  harrow  in  well,  and  apply 

a  commercial  fertilizer  rich  in  minerals,  say,  with  a 

56  composition  of  2  per  cent.  Nitrogen,  8  per  cent,  phos- 
phoric acid  and  5  per  cent,  potash,  at  the  rate  of  1,000 
pounds  per  acre.  After  the  plants  have  germinated  and 
are  well  started,  apply,  broadcast,  150  pounds  per  acre 
of  Nitrate  of  Soda,  following  this  in  two  or  three  weeks 
with  a  second  apphcation  of  150  pounds.  The  first 
dressing  will  serve  to  stimulate  leaf  growth  and  a  deep 
penetration  of  root,  and  the  second  dressing  will  en- 
courage a  rapid  growth  of  the  turnip,  so  necessary  if 
high  quality  is  to  be  obtained.  Applications  made 
later  than  one  month  after  the  seeding  usually  encour- 
age too  large  a  leaf  growth,  thus  reducing  the  yield  of 
early  crop.  In  the  experiments  three  equal  dressings 
of  133  pounds  each  reduced  the  yield  by  over  3,000 
poimds  per  acre  below  that  which  was  obtained  in  two 
equal  dressings  of  the  same  amount  as  suggested  here- 
with. The  effect  of  the  third  dressing  seemed  to  be  to 
induce  growth  of  top  rather  tlian  root.  The  increase 
in  tlie  maturity — that  is,  the  quantity  of  early  crop — 
\\ill  be  directly  increased,  in  so  far  as  the  Nitrate  in- 
duces a  larger  crop,  which  is  one  of  the  first  results  of 
its  application. 

^  ^  Very  great  progress  has  been  made 

Sweet  Com.  •      .  1  4.1       p  4.  i?        4.1 

m  tlie    growth  or  sweet  corn   tor   the 

early  market,  due  both  to  the  development  of  harder 
varieties  and  to  greater  care  in  the  selection  and  use  of 
fertilizing  materials.  These  hardy  varieties  of  sweet 
corn  are  now  frequently  planted  as  early  as  March  as 
far  north  as  New  Jersey,  and,  when  planted  so  early, 
the  soil  supplies  of  Nitrogen  are  yet  unfavorable  for 
the  change  of  organic  or  other  forms  of  Nitrogen  into 
the  Nitrate  form.  Hence,  Nitrate  should  constitute  a 
large  part  of  the  nitrogenous  food  of  the  plant  if  early 
maturity  is  to  be  accomplished.  Practice  has  shown 
that,  by  small  fractional  dressings  of  Nitrate  early, 
maximum  results  may  be  obtained.  In  the  prepara- 
tion of  the  soil  for  the  growth  of  this  crop,  therefore, 
considerable  organic  nitrogenous  material  may  be 
used  to  advantage. 

A  good  practice  is  to  manure  the  soil,  either  during 


the  fall  or  winter,   with  from  ten   to   twelve  tons  per  F^^dfor 

acre,   and  apply  previous    to  planting   or    setting  the 

plants   (in  many  cases  the  plants  are      j^g^j^^^g  of  " 

started  in  the  plant-house),  a  fertilizer  practice, 
rich  in  phosphoric  acid  and  potash, 
also  containing  organic  forms  of  Nitrogen.  At  time  of 
planting  use  a  compost  in  the  hill,  and  use  the  Nitrate 
as  a  side  dressing  after  the  corn  is  well  rooted.  The 
advantage  of  the  compost  and  organic  forms  of  Nitro- 
gen is  that  they  supply  the  soil  with  an  abundance  of 
readily  fermentable  material,  which,  to  some  extent, 
warms  the  soil  besides  containing  substances  useful  in 
later  stages  of  growth.  Nitrate  may  be  applied  in 
three  dressings,  at  the  rate  of  100  pounds  per  acre  in 
each  dressing,  and  the  dressings  should  be  so  distributed 
as  to  cover  the  season  of  growth — that  is,  as  soon  as 
plants  begin  to  form  ears  the  last  application  of  Nitro- 
gen may  be  made,  which  encourages  a  quick  growth  of 
the  ears  and  also  makes  them  much  larger.  The  in- 
creased gains  per  acre  when  the  Nitrate  has  been  used 
in  this  way  have  ranged  from  $18  to  $40 — a  very 
profitable  use  of  Nitrogen,  as  the  gain  is  really  in 
excess  of  that  which  would  be  obtained  by  average 
methods  of  manuring. 

Soils   suitable   for   the   growth   of      ,,  ,^,_^,^„^ 
,        1  p       1  1     1-    I  L  ]         Muskmelons. 

muskmelons  are  preierably  hglit,  sandy 

loams,  not  naturally  well  supplied  with  any  of  the  con- 
stituents of  plant  growth.  The  crop  does  not  require 
large  quantities  of  plant-food,  but  must  have  the 
needed  amount  in  available  form  early  in  the  season. 
Experiments  that  have  been  conducted  through  several 
seasons  show  that  the  best  form  of  Nitrogen  for  this 
crop  is  the  Nitrate,  and  that  preferably  two  applica- 
tions should  be  made.  The  increase  in  yield  from  the 
addition  of  Nitrate  of  Soda  has  averaged,  practically, 
100  per  cent.,  wdth  an  average  increased  value  of  crop 
of  $100  per  acre.  The  increased  value  is  obtained  be- 
cause of  a  large  crop  of  finer  quality,  as  a  very  ma rked 
influence  of  the  added  nitrogenous  substance  is  noticed 
in  marketable  quality  of  the  total  crop,  reducing  very 
materially  the  percentage  of  culls.  The  experiments 
showed  that,  while  the  percentage  of  culls,  where  no 


^°Pknts  Nitrogen  was  applied,  averaged  40  per  cent.,  the  aver- 

age  per  cent,  of  culls  on  the  fertilized  area  was   but 

s^  25  per  cent.,  indicating  that  the  normal  development 
of  fruit  requires  a  sufficient  amount  of  available 
Nitrogen. 

On  light  soils,  apply  broadcast  dur- 
PraS  i^g   ^^^^    ^^   winter,    8    to    10    tons    of 

manure,  which  should  be  plowed  in 
early  in  spring.  After  the  land  is  prepared,  a  high- 
grade  fertilizer  should  be  applied  broadcast,  at  the 
rate  of  600  to  800  pounds  per  acre,  and  harrowed  in 
previous  to  planting.  After  the  plants  are  well  started, 
apply  100  pounds  per  acre  of  Nitrate  of  Soda;  beiore 
the  vines  begin  to  run,  make  an  additional  application 
of  100  pounds  per  acre.  Care  should  be  taken  in  the 
application  of  the  Nitrate,  as  suggested  in  the  case  of 
the  other  crops,  not  to  allow  the  salt  to  come  in  contact 
with  the  foliage  of  the  plants. 

In  the  case  of  cucumbers,  heavier 
Cucumbers.  ^^-j^  ^^^^^  1^^  ^^^^^^  ^^^^  larger  quantities 

of  fertilizers  applied.  In  our  experiments,  the  applica- 
tion of  Nitrate  in  addition  to  regular  methods  of  fer- 
tilization resulted  in  a  very  large  increase  in  crop — 
over  100  per  cent. — and  an  increase  in  net  value  of 
over  $60  per  acre.  The  amounts  of  Nitrate  applied  may 
range  from  250  to  300  pounds  per  acre,  and  it  should 
preferably  be  distributed  more  evenly  throughout  the 
season  than  in  the  case  of  the  melons;  300  pounds  per 
acre,  in  three  applications,  gave  the  best  results.  The 
effect  of  the  Nitrate  here,  as  in  the  case  of  melons,  was 
particularly  noticeable  in  maintaining  a  rapid  and  con- 
tinuous growth  of  vine  and  fruit,  thus  materially  re- 
ducing the  proportion  of  culls.  For  growing  this  crop 
to  best  advantage,  the  soil  should  either  be  well  man- 
ured or  a  commercial  fertilizer,  rich  in  all  of  the  con- 
stituents, should  be  applied  at  the  rate  of  400  to  600 
pounds  per  acre,  previous  to  planting;  and  after  the 
plants  have  well  started,  100  pounds  per  acre  of  Nitrate 
of  Soda  should  be  applied;  this  to  be  followed  with  two 
further  dressings  of  the  same  amount.  The  time  be- 
tween the  dressings  may  range  from  two  to  three 
weeks,  according  to  season. 


Celery  is  a  crop  that  responds  most  p?°V°^ 


profitably  to  an  application  of  an  abun- 


Celery.  Plants 


dance  of  available  Nitrogen.  This  fertilizer  not  only  59 
increases  the  yield,  but  very  materially  improves  the 
quality  of  the  crop.  Where  the  soil  is  naturally  rich, 
or  where  what  may  be  regarded  as  good  methods  of 
practice,  in  reference  to  fertilizers,  are  followed,  extra 
applications  of  Nitrate  result  in  very  largely  increased 
yields  and  proportionate  improvement  in  quality.  In 
the  experiments  that  were  conducted,  it  was  shown  that 
where  ordinary  treatment  was  given,  and  a  small  and 
unprofitable  crop  was  obtained,  the  addition  of  a  few 
dollars'  worth  of  Nitrate  changed  the  crop  into  a  very 
profitable  one;  and  in  the  case  of  a  soil  that  was  re- 
garded as  good  enough  to  produce  a  fair  crop,  the  addi- 
tion caused  a  large  increase  in  total  crop,  and  a  very 
marked  improvement  in  the  quality.  The  selling  price 
of  roots  grown  with  Nitrate  was  150  per  cent,  greater 
than  where  none  w^as  applied,  and  100  per  cent,  greater 
than  where  an  insufficient  amount  was  used.  The  in- 
creased value  per  acre  of  the  crop  from  the  best  use  of 
the  Nitrate  was  over  $250. 

The  celery  crop  is  expensive,  both  -iwr  tv.  h 
in  plants  and  in  labor,  and  since  the  cost  Apolication 
of  these  items  is  the  same  whether  the 
crop  is  large  or  small,  intensive  systems  of  feeding  the 
crop  usually  give  excellent  returns.  The  crop  is  also 
very  much  improved  in  quality  if  the  conditions  are 
made  favorable  for  continuous  and  rapid  growth,  hence 
an  abundance  of  moisture  and  of  immediately  available 
food  are  prime  essentials.  The  former  can  be  con- 
trolled to  a  large  extent  by  good  methods  of  culture, 
but  the  best  culture  of  the  best  soils  is  not  capable  of 
providing  the  necessary  food,  and,  of  the  essential 
elements  of  food.  Nitrogen  seems  to  be  the  one  that 
contributes  especially  to  rapidity  of  growth  and  to  the 
formation  of  stalk  which  possesses  that  peculiar  crisp- 
ness  which  in  so  marked  a  degree  measures  marketable 
quality.  Soils  that  are  deep,  moist  and  rich  in  organic 
matter  are  best  suited  for  the  crop;  these  should  be 
heavily  manured,  say,  at  the  rate  of  ten  to  fifteen  tons 
per  acre,  and  should  also  receive  liberal  amounts  of 


^oodfor  high-grade  commercial  fertilizer,  at  the  rate  of  600  to 

_  800  pounds  per  acre,  all  applied  broadcast  previous  to 

6°  setting  the  plants.  After  the  plants  are  well  started, 
apply  200  pounds  per  acre  of  Nitrate  of  Soda  along  the 
row,  and,  if  the  weather  is  dry,  cultivate  it  in,  though, 
ordinarily,  the  moisture  in  the  soil  is  sufficient  to  cause 
an  immediate  distribution  of  the  salt;  and  in  three  to 
four  weeks  make  a  second  application  of  Nitrate  of  the 
same  amount  and  in  the  same  manner.  The  two  appli- 
cations of  Nitrate,  of  200  pounds  each,  will,  it  is  be- 
lieved, give,  on  the  average,  better  returns  than  smaller 
amounts  or  a  greater  number  of  applications,  though 
the  conditions  of  season  may  warrant  such  changes  from 
this  method  as  tlie  judgment  of  the  grower  may  dictate. 
The  growing  of  peppers  has  become 
Peppers.  ^  considerable  industry  in  market  gar- 

den districts  in  recent  years.  Studies  of  the  special 
needs  of  the  crop  show  that,  on  good  soils,  well  adapted 
for  the  plant,  additional  dressings  of  Nitrate  are  neces- 
sary for  best  results — the  gain  in  yield  averaging  35 
per  cent.,  and  the  increased  value  of  crop  due  to  the 
added  Nitrates  averaging  $30  per  acre.  A  large  quan- 
tity— 300  pounds  per  acre — seems  to  be  much  superior 
to  any  less  amount,  and,  owing  to  the  fact  that  peppers 
continue  to  form  during  the  entire  period  of  growth, 
the  distribution  of  the  Nitrate  throughout  the  season 
is  desirable  where  large  quantities  are  applied.  Where 
more  convenient  the  first  application  of  Nitrate  may  be 
applied  at  time  of  setting  the  plants,  in  order  to  prevent 
any  delay  in  growth  after  setting.  The  later  fractional 
applications  are  distributed  throughout  the  season,  two 
or  three  weeks  apart. 

In  the  growing  of  early  potatoes  it 
Early  Potatoes.  -^  ggg^ntial  that  an  abundant  supply 
of  Nitrogen  be  at  the  disposal  of  the  plant.  The  ex- 
perience of  growers  has  clearly  demonstrated  this  fact, 
and,  until  commercial  fertilizers  came  into  general  use, 
most  growers  used  large  quantities  of  yard  manure,  in 
order  that  the  plant  should  suffer  no  lack  of  this  ele- 
ment. With  the  introduction  of  commercial  fertilizers, 
the  question  of  greatest  importance  has  been  the  source 
of  Nitrogen  best  suited  to  meet  the  demands  of  the 


special   early   .growth .     The   experiments   which   have  ^J^^t^^"" 

been  conducted  with  a  view  to  answering  this  question  

have  shown  clearly  that  while  Nitrate  is  most  useful,       ^' 
a  combination  of  the  Nitrate  with  the  quickly  available 
organic  forms,  as  dried  blood,  or  with  both  organic  and 
ammonia  forms,  is  preferable  to  the  \ise  of  any  single 
form . 

On  good  potato  soils,  therefore,  a  Methods  of 
good  fertilization  should  consist  of  from  Practice. 
800  to  1,000  pounds  of  a  fertilizer  con- 
taining Nitrogen,  4  per  cent.;  available  phosphoric  acid, 
8  per  cent.,  and  potash,  10  per  cent.;  one-third  of  the 
Nitrogen  at  least  to  be  derived  from  Nitrate  of  Soda 
and  the  remainder  from  quickly  available  organic  forms. 
On  soils  in  good  condition  the  f  ertihzer  may  be  applied 
in  the  row  at  the  time  of  planting,  though  many  prefer 
to  apply  one-half  of  the  desired  amount  broadcast  pre- 
viously and  the  remainder  in  the  row  with  the  seed. 
Where  there  appears  to  be  a  deficiency  of  Nitrogen, 
the  application  of  100  pounds  of  Nitrate  per  acre  at 
the  time  of  blossoming  will  encourage  the  rapid  growth 
of  tubers,  though  retarding,  to  some  extent,  the  time 
of  ripening. 

The  sweet  potato  finds   its   most  .  r.  +  +  ^^ 

.   ,  1  *.  r   1  4-  J  -1       Sweet  Potatoes. 

congenial  home  m  a  liglit,  sandy  son, 

the  physical  character  of  the  soil  measuring,  to  a  large 
extent,  the  quality  of  the  crop,  though  the  method  of 
fertilization  will  also  influence  this  to  a  certain  extent. 
This  plant  seems  to  have  the  power  of  acquiring  from 
the  soil  Nitrogen  that  is  inaccessible  to  other  plants, 
and  thus,  where  large  applications  of  this  element  are 
made,  a  tendency  to  undue  growth  seems  to  be  encour- 
aged, and  also  to  cliange  the  marketable  quality  of  the 
tubers,  causing  a  long,  rooty  growth,  rather  than  a 
compact,  nodular  form.  The  use  of  a  small  amount  of 
Nitrogen  is,  however,  desira})le,  an  increase  of  from 
50  to  70  bushels  per  acre  being  secured  from  such  use. 
Hence,  soils  rich  in  Nitrogen,  or  those  upon  which 
Nitrogen  has  been  previously  applied  in  considerable 
quantities,  do  not  produce  tubers  of  the  character  de- 
manded by  our  northern  markets — a  small,  round  tuber, 
which  cooks  drv  and  has  a  nutty  flavor.     These  char- 


62 


Food  for  acteristics  of  quality  cannot  be  secured  in  crops  grown 
on  heavy  soils,  nor  on  sandy  soils  too  liberally  supplied 
with  Nitrogen. 

The  fertilizer  may  be  applied  at  the 
Practice  *^^^^^  ^^  making  up  the  rows,  in  order 

that  it  may  be  evenly  distributed  be- 
fore the  slips  are  planted.  This  will  encourage  im- 
mediate growth  of  plant,  and  the  small  quantity  of 
Nitrate  which  is  applied  early  in  the  season  will  not 
militate  against  the  proper  development  of  the  tuber, 
as  an  absence  of  Nitrogen  in  the  soil  after  the  Nitrate 
has  been  taken  up  will  discourage  the  formation  of  the 
rooty  form  of  tuber,  which  is  marketable  at  a  lower 
price. 

Experiments  have  also  demonstrated  the  necessity 
in  the  soils  of  an  abundance  of  minerals,  and  a  fertilizer 
containing  2.5  per  cent.  Nitrogen,  7  per  cent,  available 
phosphoric  acid  and  10  per  cent,  potash,  one-half  the 
Nitrogen  to  be  drawn  from  Nitrate,  seems  to  meet  the 
requirements  better  than  one  containing  a  larger 
amount  of  Nitrogen. 

II.     For  Crops  of  Low  Commercial  Value. 

The  growth  of  hay  and  the  cereals, 
Hay  and  Grain.      ^^^^^^^  ^^^^  ^.^^^  ^^^.^^^^  ^  ^.^^.^  important 

part  of  the  farming  interests  of  the  Eastern,  Middle 
and  Southern  Coast  States.  The  areas  of  these  crops 
in  eighteen  States,  including  Tennessee  and  Kentucky, 
are,  in  round  numbers,  as  follows: 

Hay 15,000,000  acres. 

Wheat 8,000,000       " 

Rye 772,000       " 

In  most  of  these  States  large  quantities  of  com- 
mercial fertilizers  are  used,  either  because  the  soils  are 
naturally  poor  or  because  they  have  been  depleted  of 
their  original  constituents  by  continuous  cropping,  and, 
even  with  added  fertilizers,  the  yields  are  not  large 
enough  to  make  the  crops  in  themselves  highly  profit- 
able. In  many  States  the  yield  in  particular  districts 
is  large,  but  the  average  yield  of  hay  is  but  1.25  tons 


per  acre,  of  wheat,  but  13  bushels  per  acre,  and  but  15  ^J^^^J^*" 

bushels   of   rye.     The   aggregate  production   of   these 

crops  is,  however,  very  large,  and,  because  of  the  con-      63 
ditions  which  prevail,  it  is  likely  that  their  growth  will 
continue  for  some  time  to  come,  though  it  is  eminently 
desirable  that  the  average  yield  should  be  increased. 

One  of  the  chief  reasons  for  the  low  average  yield 
is  that  the  farming  is  on  the  "extensive"  rather  than 
on  the  "intensive"  plan.  The  relatively  large  areas 
used  are  not  well  prepared  for  the  seed,  and  the  fer- 
tilizers applied  do  not  fully  supplement  soil  supplies  of 
plant-food.  These  conditions,  too,  are  not  hable  to 
change  at  once,  because  the  farmers  are  not  yet  pre- 
pared to  adopt  the  more  rational  intensive  system;  the 
adjustment  to  new  conditions  requires  time.  The  sug- 
gestions here  given  as  to  the  use  of  top-dressings  of 
nitrogenous  substances  are  therefore  of  primary  im- 
portance, because,  if  followed,  they  will  enable  the  farmer 
to  obtain  more  profitable  crops,  and  will  encourage  the 
gradual  adoption  of  better  systems  of  practice. 

The  farmers  have,  however,  reached  the  point 
where  they  are  asking  the  general  question:  "How 
shall  I  profitably  increase  the  yields  of  these  crops  .^" 
They  are  not  satisfied  with  present  conditions,  nor 
with  the  general  advice  to  supply  the  crops  with  addi- 
tional plant-food.  The  advice  is  not  definite  enough, 
and  they  are  not  sure  that  the  cost  of  expensive  plant- 
food  will  be  returned  in  the  immediate  crop,  and  they 
cannot  afford  to  wait  for  future  crops  to  return  an 
interest  on  the  invested  capital.  As  soon  as  it  is  made 
clear  that  a  profitable  increase  in  crop  from  the  use 
of  fertilizers  is  a  reasonable  thing  to  expect,  then  the 
questions  are— first,  "What  shall  I  use?"  second,  "How 
much  shall  I  use  per  acre?"  and  third,  "When  and  how 
shall  it  be  applied?"  Experiments  that  have  been 
conducted  with  the  use  of  Nitrate  of  Soda  answer  all 
of  these  questions  in  a  definite  and  specific  way. 

In  the  case  of  hay,  from  timothy 
and  other  grasses,  the  experiments  that  ^* 

have  been  conducted  answer  the  first  question — "What 
shall  I  use?"^ — as  follows:  Use  Nitrate  of  Soda,  because 
it  is  a  food  element  that  is  especially  needed;  it  is 


^°p1a^nte  ^^^"^^^  ii^  water  and  can  be  immediately  taken  up  by 
— — —  the  plants  and  supplies  them  with  that  which  they  need 
64  at  the  time  they  need  it — ^it  can  be  used  by  them  early 
in  the  sj^ring  before  other  forms  of  applied  Nitrogen 
are  usable  and  before  other  soil  supplies  are  available. 
The  results  of  experiments  conducted  through  a  period 
of  nine  years,  and  in  different  sections  of  the  State, 
show  that  upon  soils  which  will  produce  crops  ranging 
from  one  to  three  tons  per  acre,  a  gain  in  yield  of  from 
9  to  54  per  cent.,  or  an  average  increase  of  32.7  per 
cent.,  may  be  expected  from  the  use  of  from  100  to  150 
pounds  per  acre,  which  would  show  an  average  gain 
in  yield  of  654  j)ounds  per  acre;  based  on  the  average 
yield  of  this  section  of  the  country  of  1.25  tons  per 
acre,  the  gain  would  be  820  pounds.  This  increase  at 
an  average  price  of  $12  per  ton  would  mean  about  $5 
per  acre,  or  $2  more  than  the  cost  of  the  material.  A 
very  satisfactory  profit,  when  it  is  remembered  that  it 
is  obtained  at  the  same  cost  of  labor  and  of  capital  in- 
vested in  land. 

The  second  question,  as  to  how  much 

?uT,  ^^^^^  shall    be    applied  inexperience   teaches 

Shall  be  .  1     .  j        -i      •  j     4-   a.       ^ 

Applied.  ^^^  ^^^  good  soils,  m  a  good  state  01 

cultivation,  150  pounds  per  acre  would 
be  regarded  as  the  most  useful  amount,  though  on  poor 
soils,  100  pounds  would  be  better,  and  on  richer  soils, 
as  high  as  200  or  250  pounds  per  acre  may  be  used  with 
advantage.  The  reason  why  a  smaller  amount  is 
recommended  on  poor  soils  is  because  on  such  soils 
there  is  liable  to  be  a  deficiency  of  the  mineral  elements, 
and  inasmuch  as  the  Nitrate  is  not  a  food  complete  in 
itself,  but  an  element  of  food,  the  plant  would  be 
unable  to  utiHze  it  to  the  best  advantage  in  the  absence 
of  the  necessary  minerals.  Where  the  soils  are  good 
or  under  the  intensive  plan,  larger  amounts  may  be  used, 
as  under  this  system  all  the  constituents  are  supplied 
in  reasonable  excess,  besides,  every  precaution  is  taken 
to  have  the  physical  condition  of  the  soil  so  perfect  as 
to  provide  for  the  easy  distribution  and  absorption  of 
the  food  applied.  In  experiments  conducted  in  Rhode 
Island  the  largest  profit  was  obtained  from  the  applica- 
tion of  450  pounds  per  acre,  together  with  the  necessary 


minerals.     This  method  of  practice  is  one  which  should  l°°^^l°^ 

be  the  ultimate  aim,  and  can  be  accomplished  by  gradu- 

ally  increasing  the  amounts  as  the  profits  from  the  crops      ^s 
grown  from  the  application  of  smaller  amounts  warrant. 

The   experiments,   the    results    of       ,,  ^u  j     r 
1  .  ,  ^  n  11  •  1  Methods  of 

which  are  confirmed  by  experience,  also  Application, 
answer  the  third  question,  as  to  when 
it  shall  be  applied.  Apply  as  a  top-dressing  in  spring, 
after  the  grass  has  well  started,  when  the  foliage  is  dry, 
and  preferably  just  before  or  just  after  a  rain.  If  apphed 
when  vegetative  functions  are  active,  it  is  immediately 
absorbed,  and  not  only  strengthens  the  plant  but 
causes  it  to  throw  its  roots  deeply  into  the  soil  and  to 
absorb  more  readily  the  mineral  food,  and  thus  utilize 
to  a  fuller  degree  the  amount  of  Nitrate  applied.  Fre- 
quently, however,  not  only  is  the  yield  increased,  but 
the  quality  of  the  hay  is  improved — that  is,  there  is 
proportionately  more  nitrogenous  substance  in  the  hay 
than  in  that  obtained  where  no  Nitrogen  has  been 
used,  so  that  unless  the  Nitrate  has  been  absorbed  uni- 
formly we  cannot  expect  the  yield  that  may  be  calcu- 
lated from  the  amount  of  Nitrogen  applied.  These 
experiments  suggest,  further,  that,  owing  to  the  diffi- 
culty of  evenly  distributing  a  small  amount  of  Nitrate 
of  Soda,  and  owing,  also,  to  the  fact  that,  on  soils  that 
have  been  seeded  with  grass,  there  is  frequently  a 
deficiency  of  mineral  elements,  a  mixture  may  prefer- 
ably be  used  which  is  rich  in  Nitrate,  usually  one-half, 
the  })alance  consisting  of  acid  phosphate,  ground  bone 
and  muriate  of  potash.  The  soluble  minerals  are 
readily  carried  to  the  roots  of  the  plants,  but  the 
ground  bone  feeds  the  surface  roots,  and  the  Nitrate 
is  absorbed  quite  as  readily  as  if  not  used  with  any 
other  material.  This  method  is  to  be  recommended 
whenever  the  land  is  in  good  condition,  and  it  is  desired 
to  keep  up  the  content  of  the  mineral  constituents  in 
the  soil,  as  well  as  to  avoid  any  danger  of  overfeeding 
with  Nitrogen,  which  would  have  a  tendency,  particu- 
larly in  the  warmer  climates,  of  causing  a  softer  growth 
and  formation  of  mildew.  This  is  liable  to  occur 
where  the  Nitrogen  is  in  excess  and  the  ration  is  not 
well  balanced. 


^^^f^T         TxrL.    X  The  answer   to  the   questions   as 

Plants  Wheat.  T    J    .  ^       L  •  .1 
apphed  to   wheat  are,  m  essence,  the 

66  same,  though  modified  in  particular  points,  owing  to  the 
fact  that  the  wheat  is  grown  for  grain,  rather  than  for 
weight  of  total  produce,  as  in  the  case  of  hay,  and 
also  because  wheat,  being  seeded  in  the  fall,  has  not 
so  large  a  root  system  as  grass,  and  therefore 
greater  care  should  be  used  in  the  application  of  the 
material.  Nitrate  of  Soda  is,  however,  the  substance 
that  is  likely  to  give  the  most  satisfactory  results  as  a 
top-dressing,  because,  as  already  pointed  out,  it  is 
soluble,  and  can  thus  reach  every  point  of  the  soil 
without  the  necessity  of  cultivation  and  it  is  immedi- 
ately available,  and  thus  supplies  food  at  once  or  at 
the  time  most  needed,  energizing  the  plants  weakened 
by  the  winter  and  strengthening  those  already  vigor- 
ous and  enabling  them  to  secure  a  larger  proportion 
of  the  mineral  elements.  The  time  of  application 
should  be  early  in  the  spring,  or  after  growth  has  started. 
The  results  of  experiments  con- 
Gains  from  the  ducted  to  answer  this  question  show  a 
of^Soda  ^  ^  ^  S^^^  ^^  both  grain  and  straw  from  the 
top-dressing  of  Nitrate  of  Soda.  The 
yields  per  acre,  without  the  top-dressing,  ranged  from 
eleven  to  twenty-seven  bushels  of  grain  per  acre  and 
from  1,500  to  1,800  pounds  of  straw,  thus  showing  a 
wide  variation  in  the  character  of  the  soils  used  and 
in  seasons,  making  the  average  of  the  results  generally 
apphcable. 

The  gain  in  yield  of  grain  ranged  from  25.9  to 
100  per  cent.,  while  that  of  straw  ranged  from  54  to 
100  per  cent.,  or  an  average  of  60.8  per  cent,  increase 
in  the  case  of  the  grain,  and  83.8  per  cent,  increase 
in  the  case  of  the  straw.  The  value  of  these  increased 
yields,  at  average  prices,  shows  a  large  profit  in  all 
cases.  Applying  this  to  the  average  yield  per  acre  of 
wheat  and  straw,  namely,  thirteen  bushels  of  wheat  and 
1,600  pounds  of  straw  for  the  Eastern  and  Southern 
States  included  in  our  discussion,  we  find  a  gain  of  7.9 
bushels  of  wheat  and  1,340  pounds  of  straw,  and  a 
valuation  of  seventy-five  cents  per  bushel  for  wheat 
and  $6  per  ton  for  straw,  which  prices  probably  repre- 


^1 


sent  the  average,  though  not  as  high  as  are  now  pre-  pg'^J"'" 
vaiHng,  the  total  value  of  the  increase  is  $9.95,  or  a 
net  gain  of  $6.20  per  acre,  using  the  price  of  $50 
per  ton  for  Nitrate  of  Soda.  The  profit  here  indi- 
cated is  a  good  one  and  should  make  wheat  raising 
more  encouraging,  besides  stimulating  the  farmer  to 
better  practice  in  other  directions.  The  calculated 
yields  from  the  use  of  Nitrate  are  not  unreasonable  to 
expect,  since  on  good  wheat  soils  and  with  fairly  good 
management,  without  the  additional  Nitrate,  the  aver- 
age yield  is  over  twenty  bushels  per  acre. 

In  reference  to  the  second  ques- 
tion,  as  to  how  much  Nitrate  shall  be    ^^  Apply, 
apphed,  the  experiments  show  that  on 
soils  in  a  good   state  of  cultivation,  those  that  will 
produce  about  fifteen  bushels  per  acre  without   top- 
dressing,    150  pounds  per  acre,  the  average    amount 
used  in  the  experiments,  would  be  the  most  useful; 
though,  on  poorer  soils,  which  would  average  ten  to 
twelve  bushels  per  acre,  100  pounds  would  be  better, 
for  the  reasons  already  discussed  in  the  case  of  hay. 

On  better  soils,  where  quantities  larger  than  150 
pounds  per  acre  seem  desirable,  it  is  strongly  recom- 
mended that  two  applications  of  equal  weight  be  made; 
the  first,  when  the  plants  have  well  started,  and  the 
second,  when  the  crop  is  coming  into  head.  Very  often 
the  season  is  such  as  to  encourage  a  rapid  change  of 
the  insoluble  Nitrogen  in  the  soil,  in  which  case  too 
large  an  apphcation  in  the  spring  would  tend  toward 
an  undue  development  of  leaf  and  the  ripening  would 
be  impaired,  hence  the  advantage  of  dividing  the 
amount  is  apparent,  as,  if  the  season  is  good  and  the 
growth  normal,  the  second  application  may  be  dis- 
pensed with.  Where  the  soil  is  Hable  to  be  deficient 
in  minerals,  and  this  is  often  the  case,  the  Nitrate  may 
be  mixed  with  other  materials,  as  recommended  for 
hay,  the  excess  of  minerals  not  used  for  the  wheat 
providing  for  the  following  crop. 

The  three  experiments  with  rye  in         Rye. 
1894  confirm  the  conclusions  reached  in 
both  the  experiment  on  hay  and  on  wheat,  that  Nitrate 
of  Soda  as  a  top-dressing  proves  desirable  in  effectually 


^%i  ^V  i^ci'^^si^g  the  yield  of  both  grain  and  straw,  and  which 

is  accompHshed  at  a  profit.     The  average  yield  of  crops 

68  without  top-dressing  ranged  from  9.3  to  15.4  bushels 
of  grain,  and  the  increase  from  the  application  of  100 
pounds  of  Nitrate  of  Soda  ranged  from  21  to  37  per 
cent,  for  grain,  and  from  33.5  to  37  for  straw,  or  an 
average  increase  of  28.5  per  cent,  for  grain  and  35.7 
for  straw.  The  yield  obtained  without  top-dressing 
is  not  so  large  as  in  the  case  of  the  wheat,  nor  is  the 
increase  proportionately  as  large,  due  undoubtedly  to 
the  fact  that  the  rye  is  usually  grown  on  poorer  land 
than  wheat,  and  that  only  100  pounds  are  used,  though 
this  small  amount  is  recommended  because  of  the  rela- 
tively lower  price  of  grain.  Applying  this  percentage 
increase,  however,  to  the  average  yields,  as  shown  by 
the  vStates  mentioned,  namely,  fifteen  bushels  of  rye, 
and  1,800  pounds  of  straw  per  acre,  we  have  a  gain  of 
4.28  bushels  of  grain  and  603  pounds  of  straw.  At 
sixty  cents  per  bushel  for  the  grain,  and  $12  per  ton 
for  the  straw,  the  gain  is  $6.18,  or  a  net  profit  from 
the  use  of  Nitrate  of  Soda  of  $3.93  per  acre,  a  very 
handsome  return  for  the  investment.  The  suggestions 
as  to  the  amount  and  time  to  apply  are  practically 
the  same  as  for  the  wheat  and  hay,  though,  owing  to 
the  fact  that  the  straw  is  relatively  more  valuable 
than  the  grain,  larger  applications  may  be  made  for 
rye  than  for  wheat,  as  an  abnormal  increase  in  the 
proportion  of  straw  would  not  result  in  lowering  the 
total  value  of  the  crop. 

At  this  Station  during  the  years 
Experiments  j^gg  iq  jgog  seven  experiments  were 

Cro^s^^^^^^  conducted  with  Nitrate  as  a  top-dress- 

ing on  forage  crops,  the  Nitrate  being 
used  in  addition  to  the  manures  and  fertilizers  generally 
used,  and  the  following  tabulations  show  the  yield  and 
gain  per  acre  obtained.  It  will  be  observed  that  in  all 
cases  a  very  marked  increase,  due  to  the  application 
of  Nitrate,  occurred  on  all  crops  except  the  barley, 
which,  owing  to  unfavorable  weather  conditions,  did 
not  make  a  large  yield.  Applying  this  percentage 
increase  to  what  has  been  shown  to  be  average  yields 
of  these  crops  without  Nitrate,  we  have  the  follow- 


ing  table,  which  shows  the  gain  per  acre  and  the  value  p^^^^g*''" 

of  the  increase  on  all  crops  at  an  assumed  value  of  $3 

per  ton :  ^9 

Yield  of  Forage  Crops  Per  Acre. 


Rye •. .. 

Wheat 

Barnyard  Mil 

let 

Corn 

Oats  and  Peas 
Barley 


Fertilizer. 


lbs. 
9,520 
9,280 

14,355 

20,400 

6,250 

2,400 


lbs. 

13,100 

15,000 


lbs. 
3,580 
5,720 


21,540  7,185 

26,800  6,400 

9,530  3,280 

4,720  2,320 


37.6 
61.6 

50.0 
31.4 
52.5 
96.6 


lbs. 

10,000 

10,000 

14,000 

20,000 

10,000 

8,000 


lbs 
3,760 
6,160 

7,000 
6,280 
5,250 

7,728 


$5.64 
9.24 

10.50 
9.42 
7.88 

11.59 


It  will  be  observed  that  the  value  of  the  increased 
crop  ranges  from  $5.64  to  $11.59  per  acre — a  profitable 
increase  in  every  case,  as  the  average  cost  of  the  Nitrate 
did  not  exceed  $3.60.  This  profit  does  not  take  into 
consideration  the  fact  that  the  average  increase  for  all 
the  crops  was  over  50  per  cent.,  thus  reducing,  in  this 
proportion,  the  area  required  for  the  production  of  a 
definite  amount  of  food — a  point  of  vital  importance  in 
the  matter  of  growing  forage  for  soiling  purposes.  In 
other  words,  it  is  shown  that,  not  only  is  there  a  profit- 
able gain,  but  that  with  these  crops  the  application  of 
Nitrate  of  Soda  made  it  possible  to  double  the  number 
of  cattle  or  the  number  of  cows  that  could  be  kept  on  a 
definite  area. 

In  the  case  of  the  wheat  and  rye  the  application 
was  made  when  the  plants  were  well  started  in  the 
spring.  In  the  case  of  the  spring  or  summer-seeded 
crops  the  applications  were  made  after  the  plants  were 
well  started  and  root  sj'stems  well  established  and  ready 
for  the  rapid  absorption  of  food.  In 
raising  forage  crops  the  best  results,  in 
fact,  satisfactory  results,  can  only  be 


Methods  of 
AppUcation. 


^^Piants  obtained    when    grown    under    the    intensive    system. 

The  soil  must  be  well  prepared  and  an  abundance  of 

7°  all  the  elements  of  plant-food  supplied.  Hence,  the 
application  of  Nitrate  may  be  greater  than  is  usually 
recommended  for  grain  crops  under  the  extensive 
system. 

Although  there  are  many  valuable  suggestions 
offered  by  the  experiments,  at  least  two  are  of  funda- 
mental importance,  and  cannot  be  too  strongly  urged 
upon  the  attention  of  farmers: 

1.  That  the  constituents  Nitrogen,  phosphoric 
acid  and  potash,  as  found  in  commercial  supplies  fur- 
nishing these  elements,  do  serve  as  plant-food,  nour- 
ishing the  plant  in  the  same  manner  as  those  in  home 
manures,  and  should,  therefore,  be  liberally  used,  in 
order  to  guarantee  maximum  crops. 

2.  Of  these  constituent  elements  Nitrogen  is  of 
especial  importance,  because  it  is  the  one  element 
which,  in  its  natural  state,  must  be  changed  in  form 
before  it  can  be  used  by  the  plants.  Hence,  its  apphca- 
tion  in  an  immediately-available  form  is  especially  ad- 
vantageous for  quick-growing  vegetable  crops,  whose 
marketable  quahty  is  measured  by  rapid  and  contin- 
uous growth,  and  for  those  field  crops  which  make  their 
greatest  development  in  spring,  before  the  conditions 
are  favorable  for  the  change  of  the  Nitrogen  in  the  soil 
into  forms  usable  by  plants. 


Staple  Crops, 


Food  for 
Plants 


Cotton  and  Fiber  Plants. 


Cotton  is  profitably  grown  on  nearly  all  kinds  of 
soil,  but  does  best  perhaps  on  a  strong,  sandy  loam. 
On  light  uplands  the  yield  is  light,  but  with  a  fair  pro- 
portion of  lint;  on  heavy  bottom  lands  the  growth 
may  be  heavy,  but  the  proportion  of  lint  to  the  whole 
plant  very  much  reduced. 

The  preparation  of  the  soil  must  be  even  and  thor- 
ough; light  soils  should  be  plowed  to  a  depth  of  six 
inches,  heavy  soils  about  eight  inches.  The  rows  should 
be  four  feet  apart;  on  very  rich  soils  the  hills  may  be 
made  twelve  inches  apart,  but,  on  the  light  soils  com- 
mon to  cotton  sections,  twenty -four  inches  is  a  better 


^^pfa^t*^  space  between  plants.     About  one  bushel  of  seed  per 


72 


acre  is  the  usual  allowance. 

Many  fertiHzer  formulas  have  been  recommended, 
and  by  all  kinds  of  authority,  and  green  manuring  is 
widely  advised  as  a  means  of  getting  a  supply  of  cheap 
ammonia;  but,  with  this  crop  especially,  cheap  am- 
moniates  are  very  dear.  The  cotton  plant  should 
have  stored  up  all  the  food  it  needs  by  the  1st  or  15th 


Products  of  Auburn  Cotton  Plots,  Group  1, 


Yields  of  Seed  Cottou. 
Plot  1.         Plot  3.         Plot  4. 
750  lbs.      1272  lbs.      1440  lbs. 


of  August;  from  this  time  on  growth  should  be  checked 
that  the  plant  may  develop  the  formation  of  seed  and 
Hnt.  If,  on  the  contrary,  plant  food  is  still  supplied 
late  in  the  season,  new  growth  is  the  result,  and  in  con- 
sequence a  lessened  production  of  lint  and  seed.  The 
lower  grade  ammoniates,  such  as  cotton-seed  meal, 
green  manuring,  tankage,  and  dried  blood,  continue 
to  supply  available  Nitrogen   until  checked   by   cold 


73 


weather,  hence  these  forms  of  ammoniates  are  not  de-  ^f^tf^"" 
sirable  for  the  most  economical  production  of  cotton. 
In  order  to  supply  the  necessary  plant  food  for  the  earl- 
ier stages  of  growth,  so  much  of  these  low  grade  am- 
moniates must  be  used  that  injury  from  lack  of  ripening 
is  almost  sure  to  occur. 

The  most  rational  way  of  fertilizing  cotton  is  to 
apply  the  phosphoric  acid  and  potash  with  the  seed, 


Products  of  Auburn  Cotton  Plots,  Group 


Yields  of  Seed  Cotton. 
Plot  1.         Plot  3.         Plot  4. 
930  lbs.       1284  lbs.      1776  lbs. 


or  just  before  seeding.  As  soon  as  the  plants  are  well 
above  ground,  top-dress  along  the  rows  with  100  pounds 
of  Nitrate  of  Soda  per  acre,  and  work  in  well  \vith  the 
cultivator.  This  furnishes  the  cotton  plant  with  pre- 
cisely the  Best  Form  of  Nitrogen,  Nitrate,  for  rapid 
growth,  and  does  not  continue  to  push  the  plant  long 
after  new  growth  should  have  ceased. 


Food  for  One  hundred  pounds  of  Nitrate  of  Soda  may  be  used 

■  as  a  top-dressing  four  weeks  after  planting. 

74  Successful   results   have  been   obtained   by   using 

Nitrate  alone,  either  at  the  time  of  planting,  at  the 
ratio  of  100  pounds  to  the  acre,  or  a  spoonful  of  this 
salt  placed  around  and  near  each  cotton  bush  later, 
mixing  it  thoroughly  with  the  dry  soil.  Avoid  placing 
the  Nitrate  on  the  plant  or  in  contact  with  it. 

Fertilization  and  Cultivation  of  Cotton. 
Bulletin  of  North  Carolina  Department  of  Agriculture. 

Cotton  is  generally  grown  on  ridges, 
u  ure.  This  is  necessary  on  wet  soils,  but  on 

all  fairly  well-drained  upland  and  sandy  soils  we  are 
convinced  that  level  and  frequent  shallow  cultivation, 
as  was  indicated  for  corn,  is  the  best  and  most  eco- 
nomical method  to  follow  in  growing  cotton.  Ridge 
culture  may  give  better  results  in  very  wet  years,  but 
taking  the  seasons  as  they  come  the  advantage  will  lie, 
we  think,  with  flat  culture. 

On  light  lands  it  will  be  good  practice  to  apply 
Nitrate  as  a  side-dressing  about  the  middle  of  June. 
Good  results  come  from  the  use  of  it  in  this  way  on 
heavy  types  of  land.  Where  land  does  not  produce  a 
good  stalk  of  cotton,  and  fertilizers  are  used  which 
contain  only  a  moderate  amount  of  Nitrogen,  or 
ammonia,  good  results  are  obtained  from  a  side- 
dressing  of  50  to  100  pounds  of  Nitrate  of  Soda  per 
acre.  The  Nitrate  should  be  distributed  along  one 
side  of  the  row,  or  where  there  is  a  ridge  in  the  middle 
it  may  be  put  on  this,  and  when  the  ridge  is  thrown 
out  the  Nitrate  will  be  thrown  on  two  sides  of  the  row. 
The  Alabama  Agricultural  Experi- 
Cotton  "^^  ment  Station  at  Auburn,  Alabama,  has 
made  some  interesting  experiments  in 
fertilizing  cotton.  Experiments  were  conducted  in 
many  different  parts  of  the  State  and  on  various  kinds 
of  soil. 

It  was  noticed  that  in  nearly  every  case  96  pounds 
of  Nitrate  of  Soda,  when  used  with  acid  phosphate,  gave 
a  better  yield  than  240  pounds  cotton-seed  meal  when 


Experiments  with  Fertilizers  on  Cotton. 


Food'for 
Plants  i 


NITRATE 

NITRATE. 

i 

ii 

1^' 

o^ 

g-d 

o  A  5 

"a 

m  D, 

S- 

cc  ao 

h 

O       O       tH 

trate  of 
cid  Phos 
[uriate  P 
r  Acre. 

Locality  and  Character  of  Soil. 

<l. 

g-^a 

u<  ^ 

g<^S. 

y. 

i 

t«J 

JJ 

^ii 

J3  — 

^=;— 1 

o 

ZZ  ■=> 

o  o 

""  o  -^ 

•* 

«0  -rf 

•*  ^ 

to  ^  ® 

o< 

a  »» 

5«^ 

os^ 

Yield 

Yield 

Yield 

Yield 

Yield 

per  Acre. 

per  Acre. 

per  Acre. 

per  Acie. 

per  Acre. 

Lbs. 

Lbs. 

Lbs. 

Lbs. 

Lbs. 

Barbour  Co.,  Sandy  Loam.  . 

624 

672 

1216 

768 

1020 

Elmore  Co.,  Gray  Sand 

469 

736 

1088 

960 

1088 

Elowah  Co.,  Red  Loam 

240 

616 

1000 

720 

952 

Greene  Co.,  Sandy 

104 

512 

960 

1056 

1256 

Clay  Co.,  Soil  Red 

389 

480 

800 

704 

848 

Calhoun  Co.,  Mulatto  Soil. . 

171 

480 

640 

624 

816 

Lawrence  Co.,  Clay  Loam. . . 

235 

600 

864 

688 

904 

Cullman     Co.,     Sand     and 

Gravel 

347 

928 

1080 

1096 

1120 

Madison  Co.,  Clay  Loam.  .  . 

312 

448 

800 

544 

800 

Randolph  Co.,  Sandy  Loam. 

288 

384 

752 

544 

544 

Butler  Co.,  Light  Sand 

200 

640 

744 

760 

800 

Marengo  Co.,  Dark  Sand.  .  . 

648 

816 

936 

784 

968 

75 


used  with  the  same  quantity  of  acid  phosphate.  The 
240  pounds  of  cotton-seed  meal  contained  more  Nitro- 
gen than  96  pounds  of  Nitrate,  and  cost  more  than  the 
Nitrate,  yet  did  not  give,  as  a  rule,  as  good  results.  As 
a  rule,  potash  did  not  pay,  except  on  sandy  land. 
While  the  "no  fertilizer"  acre  gave  only  a  small  yield, 
the  best  results  were  obtained  from  the  combination 
of  Nitrate,  phosphate  and  potash,  but  where  the  land 
was  fairly  good,  the  potash  did  not  seem  to  be 
necessary. 

Cotton-seed  meal  has  been  an  economical  source 
of  Nitrogen,  but  it  tends  to  make  the  soil  sour,  stale 
and  mouldy.  Its  use  should  never  exclude  the  use  of 
Nitrate  Nitrogen,  i.e.,  Nitrate  of  Soda,  at  the  rate  of 
100  pounds  to  the  acre. 

Two  bales  of  cotton  may  be  made  on  the  same 


^pfantl  ^^?^    ^^^^    t^^    ^^"^^    ^^^^^'   which    now    makes    one. 

Nitrate  of  Soda  fed  to  growing  crops  at  the  right  time 

76       repays  its  cost  many  times  over. 

If  there  is  no  Nitrate  present,  the  plant  must  wait 
until  the  Nitrogen  in  the  cotton-seed  meal  becomes 
nitrated,  which,  in  cool,  damp  soil  takes  a  considerable 
time.  Thus  the  plant,  in  its  most  critical  stage,  is  held 
back  and  checked  in  its  growth, /rowi  ivhich  it  never  fully 
recovers.  On  the  other  hand,  if  a  small  quantity  of 
Nitrate  is  used,  the  plant  can  take  it  up  at  once  and 
get  a  good  strong  start  by  the  time  the  cotton-seed 
meal  is  converted  into  the  Nitrate  form,  the  only  form 
that  can  be  used  by  the  plant. 

Profitable  Use  of  Nitrate  of  Soda  on  Cotton. 

In  forty  tests  in  1904  at  the  South  Carohna 
Experiment  Station,  where  Nitrate  of  Soda  was  used 
at  the  rate  of  200  pounds  to  the  acre,  the  yield  was 
1,740  pounds  of  seed  cotton  per  acre,  compared  with 
an  average  yield  of  868  pounds  per  acre  for  thirty-four 
plots  on  which  various  fertilizers  were  used,  and  an 
average  yield  of  425  pounds  per  acre  for  six  unfertil- 
ized plots. 

The  table  on  page  77  shows  the  average  yearly 
yields  per  acre  for  the  four  years  during  which  the 
experiments  were  carried  on,  together  with  the  profits 
shown  by  the  use  of  various  fertilizers,  is  condensed 
from  similar  tables  on  pages  21,  22  and  23  of  Bulletin 
145  of  the  South  Carolina  Experiment  Station,  Clem- 
son  College,  S.  C,  and  from  a  report  for  1910  from 
the  same  station. 

Doubling  the  Cotton  Crop  a  Problem  of 
Sane  Fertilizing. 

Should  the  world's  cotton  spinning  demands  re- 
quire the  doubling  of  the  American  cotton  crop  within 
the  next  five  or  ten  years,  along  what  lines  of  develop- 
ment in  means  and  methods  could  it  be  most  economi- 
cally accomplished.'^ 

This  is  a  question  which  some  consider  a  practical 
proposition.     They  look  forward  to  an  era,  after  the 


Food  for 
Average  Yearly  Profits  from  Use  of  Fertilizers  for  the  Years  Plants 


lyOB,  1»UY, 

iyu»,  lyiu. 

77 

Kind  of  Fertilizer 

il 

11 

1.1 

is 

a 

O 

^r»nf» 

481       lbs. 

6903^     " 

Acid  Phosphate 

2091^  lbs. 

$  8.38 

$  3.45 

$  4.93 

Muriate  of  Potash. . 

550^     " 

69K     " 

2.78 

1.94 

.84 

Acid  Phosphate. . .  1 
Muriate  of  Potash  j 

7511^     " 

270K     " 

10.82 

5.39 

5.43 

Acid  Phosphate. . .  ' 
Muriate  of  Potash 
Cottonseed  Meal . 

8651^     " 

38434     " 

15.37 

7.17 

8.20 

Acid  Phosphate. . .  1 
Nitrate  of  Soda.  .  J 

1004M     " 

5233^     " 

20.95 

9.15 

11.80 

Acid  Phosphate. . . 
Muriate  of  Potash 
Nitrate  of  Soda. . . 

1013 

532         " 

21.28 

12.04 

9.24 

Acid  Phosphate.  .  j 
Cottonseed  Meal.  \ 
Nitrate  of  Soda.  .  J 

1060 

579 

23.16 

11.88 

11.28 

Acid  Phosphate.  . 
Muriate  of  Potash 
Cottonseed  Meal. 
Nitrate  of  Soda.  . 

1113M     « 

6323^     " 

25.31 

13.81 

11.50 

current  depression  is  passed,  of  new  areas  of  investment. 
A  new  period  of  railway  construction  is  then  expected 
to  break  out  in  Asia,  Africa,  Latin-American  countries 
and  in  Australasia.  Railway  building  always  brings 
with  it  an  enormous  demand  for  cotton  textiles  and 
many  capable  judges  recognize  that  neither  the  present 
mill  capacity  nor  the  available  supply  of  cotton  may 
be  adequate  for  the  world's  requirements  of  the  chief 
textile  fabric  five  or  ten  years  hence. 


^°Pilnts  Fertilization  is  50  per  cent  of  the  producing  factors 

necessary  to  increase  the  yield  of  cotton  up  to  the 

78  average  Egyptian  productiveness.  Egypt's  cotton  av- 
erage is  about  400  pounds  to  the  acre,  and  in  1912  it 
was  426  pounds  against  our  own  average  of  about  180. 
The  other  elements  include  seed  selection,  the  applica- 
tion of  natural  manures,  plowing  under  green  manures 
and  thorough  tillage  and  drainage. 

But  fertilizing  depends  very  largely  on  the  ingre- 
dient which  is  selected  to  do  the  fertilizing.  Of  the 
three  chief  fertilizing  elements — ^potash,  phosphoric 
acid  and  nitrogen — the  nitrates  are  by  all  means  the 
most  important  because  they  supply  the  energizing 
element  in  plant  life.  The  rational  use  of  nitrates,  of 
about  100  pounds  an  acre,  is  therefore,  the  most  im- 
portant fertilizing  principle  in  the  increase  in  the  pro- 
duction of  cotton,  because  it  is  the  factor  which  enables 
the  plant  to  make  the  most  out  of  its  environment. 
The  great  difference  between  the  American  fertilizing 
methods  and  those  of  Europe  and  Egypt  is  in  the  pro- 
portion of  nitrogen  used  in  increasing  the  size  of  the 
crops.  The  average  composition  of  fertilizers  sold  in 
the  United  States  is  inferior  in  this  main  element  of 
available  nitrogen.  The  cotton  belt,  which  now  ranks 
first  in  fertilizer  consumption,  includes  in  the  average 
composition  of  fertilizers  about  eight  parts  of  phos- 
phoric acid,  four  of  potash  and  two  of  nitrogen,  of  which 
the  whole  is  never  available,  that  is,  free  to  act  in  its 
fertilizing  function.  In  Europe  and  Egypt  the  com- 
position is  eight  of  phosphoric  acid,  four  of  potash  and 
four  and  one-half  of  nitrogen,  practically  all  of  which 
is  available. 

The  American  farmers'  progress,  especially  in  the 
cotton  country,  is  being  hindered  by  the  use  of  inferior 
fertilizers.  A  pure  fertihzer  law  is  needed  as  much  as 
a  pure  food  law.  Farmers  do  not  know  enough  about 
the  availability  of  the  higher  grade  fertilizer  ingredients 
which  are  necessary  to  more  intensive  cultivation. 
Germany  imports  more  nitrates  than  we  do,  for  her 
territory  of  about  the  size  of  Texas.  Last  year  that 
country  took  700,000  tons,  compared  with  550,000  tons 
imported   by   the   United   States.     Europe   ships   her 


Food  for  phosphoric  acid  here  and  takes  her  nitrates  from  Chile, 


in  which  the  energizing  plant-producing  power  is  nearly 

^°       all  available. 

If  cotton  growing,  on  the  35,000,000  acres  now 
under  that  plant,  could  be  brought  by  rational  fertiliz- 
ing and  by  ordinary  improvements  in  seed  selection 
and  soil  treatment  to  the  Egyptian  standard  of  400 
pounds  to  an  acre,  the  yield  of  the  country  could  there- 
by be  raised  to  28,000,000  bales  a  year.  Rural  credit 
institutions  for  the  supply  of  necessary  capital  at  low 
cost  and  the  diversion  of  immigration  into  the  cotton 
states,  would  insure  the  necessary  labor  and  capital. 
One  thing  more — the  invention  of  a  successful  mechan- 
ical cotton  picker — and  the  American  cotton  crop 
would  be  on  a  fair  way  to  double  itself  within  another 
decade. 

Flax  and  Hemp. 

For  Hemp.  100  pounds  Nitrate  per  acre  may  be 
applied  as  a  top-dressing  at  the  time  of  planting. 

For  Flax.  100  pounds  Nitrate  per  acre  may  be 
applied  as  a  top-dressing  at  the  time  of  planting. 

Tobacco. 

The  value  of  tobacco  depends  so  much  upon  its 
grade,  and  the  grade  so  much  upon  the  soil  and  climate, 
as  well  as  fertilization,  that  no  general  rules  for  tobacco 
culture  can  be  laid  down.  Leaving  out  special  ones, 
such  as  Perique,  the  simplest  classification  of  tobacco 
for  the  purposes  of  this  book  is  as  follows:  Cigar. 
— ^Tobacco  for  cigar  manufacture,  grown  chiefly  in 
Connecticut  and  Wisconsin.  Manufacturing. — ^Tobacco 
manufactured  into  plug,  or  the  various  forms  for  pipe 
smoking  and  cigarettes.  All  kinds  of  tobacco  have  the 
same  general  habits  of  growth,  but  the  two  classes 
mentioned  have  very  different  plant  food  requirements. 

Cigar  tobaccos  generally  require  a  rather  light  soil; 
the  manufacturing  kinds  prefer  heavy,  fertile  soils.  In 
either  case,  the  soil  must  be  clean,  deeply  broken,  and 
thoroughly  pulverized.  Fall  plowing  is  always  prac- 
tised on  heavy  lands,  or  lands  new  to  tobacco  culture. 


Tobacco  may  be  safely  grown  on  the  same  land  year  |f^J°' 

after  year.     The  plant  must  be  richly  fertilized;    it 

has  thick,  fleshy  roots,  and  comparatively  little  forag-        8i 
ing  power — that  is,  ability  to  send  out  roots  over  an 
extensive  tract  of  soil  in  search  of  plant  food. 

Fertilizer  for  tobacco  is  used  in  quantities  per 
acre  as  low  as  400  pounds,  and  as  high  as  3,000  pounds. 
It  should  always  be  supplemented  by  a  top-dressing  of 

Tobacco. 


No  Nitrate.        Virginia  Experiments.     100  lbs.  Nitrate  of  Soda 

per  acre. 


Nitrate  of  Soda,  along  the  rows  of  young  plants,  rang- 
ing from  200  to  400  pounds  per  acre.  Manufacturing 
tobaccos  are  particularly  benefited  by  the  application 
of  Nitrate  of  Soda.  While  the  production  of  leaf  may 
be  enormously  increased  by  abundant  use  of  this 
Nitrate,  the  other  plant  food  elements  should  also  be 
used  to  secure  a  well  matured  crop.  In  the  case  of 
cigar  tobaccos,  Nitrate  should  be  used  exclusively,  as 


^°pf  ^f  it  is  diflScult  to  secure  a  thoroughly  matured  leaf  unless 
the  supply  of  digestible  Nitrogen  is  more  or  less  under 


82  control,  a  condition  not  practicable  with  ordinary  fer- 
tilizers. Should  the  crop  at  any  time  before  mid- 
August  take  on  a  sickly,  yellow  color,  Nitrate  of  Soda 
should  be  broadcasted  at  once,  along  the  rows,  and  at 
the  rate  of  200  pounds  per  acre.  If  this  broadcasting 
can  be  done  just  before  a  rain,  the  results  will  appear 
more  promptly. 

Tobacco  growing  is  special  farming,  and  should 
be  carefully  studied  before  starting  in  as  a  planter. 
For  small  plantations,  the  plants  are  best  bought 
of  a  regular  seedsman.  The  cultivation  is  always 
clean,  and  an  earth  mulch  from  two  to  three  inches 
in  depth  should  be  maintained — that  is,  the  surface 
soil  to  that  depth  kept  thoroughly  pulverized. 

At  the  Kentucky  Experiment  Station,  experiments 
were  made  with  fertilizers  on  Burley  Tobacco.     The 
land  was  "deficient  in  natural  drain- 
0  acco.  age,"    so    that    the    fertihzers    could 

hardly  be  expected  to  have  their  full  effect.  Yet,  as 
will  be  seen  by  the  following  table,  the  profits  from 
the  use  of  the  fertilizers  were  enormous: 


Experiments  on  Tobacco  at  the  Kentucky 
Experiment  Station. 


Fertilizer  per  acre. 

Bright. 

Yield  of  tobacco — pounds 
Red.     Luga.     Tips.     Trash. 

■  Total. 

Value  of 
tobacco 
per  acre. 

1. 

No  manure 

230 

200 
450 

360 
310 

60 
90 

540 
530 

1160 
1610 

$67 . 20 

2. 

leOlbs.  Nitrate  of  Soda..". 

138.40 

3. 

160  lbs.  sulp.  of  potash;  160 
lbs.  Nitrate  of  Soda 

190 

755 

605 

120 

140 

1810 

190.45 

4. 

320    lbs.    superphosphate; 
160  lbs.  sulp.  of  potash; 
160  lbs.  Nitrate  of  Soda 

310 

810 

420 

10 

300 

2000 

201.20 

The  tobacco  was  assorted  by  an  expert  and  the 
prices  given  as  follows:  Bright  and  red,  fifteen  cents 
per  pound;  lugs,  six  cents  per  pound;  tips,  eight  cents 
per  pound;   trash,  two  cents  per  pound. 

One  hundred  and  sixty  pounds  Nitrate  of  Soda, 
costing  about  $3.75,  increased  the  value  of  the  crop 
$71.20  per  acre! 


We   recommend   for   tobacco   a   mixture   of   200  Fofd  for 


Plants 


pomids  Nitrate  of  Soda,  300  pounds  superphosphate, 
and  200  pounds  sulphate  of  potash  per  acre.  This  83 
mixture  would  cost  about  $28.00  per  ton  and  would 
contain  over  6  per  cent,  of  Nitrogen.  This  is  nearly 
twice  as  much  Nitrogen  as  would  be  obtained  in  a 
"complete  fertilizer"  or  "special  tobacco  manure," 
costing  $35.00  per  ton. 


Grass  Growing  for  Profit. 

Timothy  and  related  grasses  feed  heavily  on 
Nitrogen;  they  are  able  to  transform  it  completely 
into  wholesome  and  digestible  animal  food.  When 
full  rations  of  plant  food  are  present  a  good  crop  of 
grass  will  remove  upwards  of  the  equivalent  of  the 
active  fertilizer  ingredients  of  200  pounds  of  Nitrate 
of  Soda,  200  pounds  muriate  of  potash  and  200  pounds 
of  phosphate.  These  amounts  are  recommended  to  be 
appHed  per  acre  as  top-dressing  for  grass  lands;  and 
if  wood  ashes  are  available  400  pounds  per  acre  will 
be  very  beneficial  in  addition  to  the  above.  Grass 
lands  get  sour  easily,  especially  when  old,  and  when 
they  do,  one  ton  of  lime  per  acre  should  be  harrowed 
in  before  seeding  down  anew.  The  seeding  must  be 
done  before  September,  and  the  above-mentioned 
ration  should  be  used  as  a  top-dressing  the  following 
spring,  soon  after  the  grass  begins  to  show  growth. 

If  all  the  conditions  are  favorable  from  three  to 
five  tons  of  clean  barn-cured  hay,  free  from  weeds, 
may  reasonably  be  expected.  When  grass  crops  are 
heavy  and  run  as  high  as  4 3^  tons  per  acre  field-cured, 
it  is  safe  to  allow  20  per  cent,  shrinkage  in  weight  for 
seasoning  and  drying  down  to  a  barn-cured  basis. 
Nitrate  of  Soda,  the  chief  constituent  of  the  prescribed 
ration,  pushes  the  grass  early  and  enables  it  to  get 
ahead  of  all  weeds,  and  the  crop  then  feeds  econom- 
ically and  fully  on   the   other   manurial   constituents 


Grass. 


1.  Product  of  one  square  foot 
of  ground  in  field  yielding  over 
three  tons  per  acre  of  cured 
timothy  hay  fertilized  with  Ni- 
trate of  Soda. 


2.  Product  of  one  square  foot 
of  ground  in  adjoining  field 
(not  fertilized  with  Nitrate  of 
Soda)  yielding  one  ton  per  acre 
of  cured  hay. 


Highland  Experimental  Farms,  New  York. 


present  in  the  fertilizer  mentioned  in  the  formula  and  |f^J°^ 

present  in  the  soil.  

When  clean  No.  1  hay  sells  above  $16.00  per  ton  ^s 
the  financial  results  are  very  satisfactory.  Nitrate  can 
sometimes  be  used  alone  for  a  season  or  two  and  at 
very  great  profit,  but  a  full  grass  ration  is  better  in 
the  long  run  for  both  the  soil  and  crop.  Generally 
speaking,  100  pounds  of  Nitrate,  if  used  under  proper 
conditions,  will  produce  an  increase  of  from  1,000  to 
1,200  pounds  of  barn-cured,  clean  timothy  hay,  the 
value  of  which  shall  average  from  $8.00  to  $10.00. 
Compared  with  the  value  of  the  increased  hay  crop, 
it  pays  well  to  use  Nitrate  liberally  on  grass  lands. 


Making  Two  Blades  of  Grass  Grow  Where 
One  Blade  Grew  Before. 

Grass  is  a  responsive  crop  and  the  part  played 
by  mineral  chemical  fertilizers,  as  proven  in  Rhode 
Island,  shows  the  striking  effect  of  Nitrate  on  yields 
and  feeding  quality. 

Since  all  the  other  fertilizers  were  aUke  for  the 
three  plots  and  had  been  for  many  years,  and  since 
the  general  character  of  the  soil  and  the  treatments  the 
plots  had  received  were  uniform,  any  differences  must 
l)e  ascribed  to  the  influence  of  the  varying  quantities 
of  Nitrate  of  Soda.  These  differences,  so  far  as  they 
are  shown  by  the  weights  of  the  crops  for  four  years 
are  given  in  brief  below: 


Yield  of  Cured  Hay  Under  Different  Rates 
of  Nitrogenous  Fertilization. 


Nitrate  of  Soda  applied. 

1899, 
Lbs. 

Yield  of  Cured  Hay. 
1900,            1901, 
Lbs.             Lbs. 

1902, 
Lbs. 

Average 

Yields 

in  Tons. 

None 

150  lbs.  per  acre*. . . 
4-50  lbs.  per  acre* . .  . 

5,075 
6,300 
6,913 

4,000 
5,600 
8,200 

3,290 
5,550 
9,390 

2,950 
4,850 
8,200 

1.9 
2.8 
4.1 

Amount  slightly  reduced  in  1901  and  1902. 


^°S,f  ^°J  „„    ^  ^,  These  figures  show  a  uniform,  con- 

Plants  What  the  ^ 


Fiffures  Show        sistent  and  marked  advantage  from  the 
^^  '        use  of  Nitrate  of  Soda;  and  the  effect 

of  its  absence  is  shown  by  the  steady  dechne  of  the 
yields  on  the  no-Nitrate  plot  from  year  to  year.  In 
each  year  the  use  of  150  pounds  of  Nitrate  gave  in- 
creased yields  over  the  plot  without  Nitrogen,  the  gain 
varying  from  1,200  to  almost  2,300  pounds,  an  aver- 
age gain  of  about  seven-eighths  of  a  ton  of  hay.  Three 
times  this  amount  of  Nitrate  did  not,  of  course,  give 
three  times  as  much  hay,  but  it  so  materially  increased 
the  yield  as  to  show  that  it  was  all  used  to  good  advan- 
tage except,  perhaps,  in  the  second  year.  This  was  an 
exceptionally  dry  year  and  but  one  crop  could  be  cut. 
The  advantage  from  the  Nitrate  showed  strikingly  in 
the  production  of  a  rapid  and  luxurious  early  growth 
while  moisture  was  still  available.  This  supply  of 
readily  soluble  food  comes  just  when  it  is  most  needed, 
since  the  natural  change  of  unavailable  forms  of  Nitro- 
gen in  the  soil  to  the  soluble  Nitrates  proceeds  very 
slowly  during  the  cool,  moist  weather  of  spring.  The 
full  ration  of  Nitrogen,  450  pounds  of  Nitrate,  more 
than  doubled  the  yield  of  hay  over  that  produced  on 
the  no-Nitrate  plot  in  1900  and  in  the  next  two  years 
it  nearly  tripled  the  yield.  The  average  increase  over 
the  150  pound  plot  was  one  and  three-tenths  tons  and 
over  the  plot  without  Nitrogen  was  two  and  five-eighths 
tons. 

Effect  on  Quality  of  Hay. 

Almost  as  marked,  and  certainly 
How  Nitrate  more  surprising  and  unexpected,  was 

Improves  the  ^^le  effect  of  the  Nitrate  upon  the  qual- 

Quality  of  the         .,        p  ^i      i  i        j 

JJg^y  ity  oi  the  hay  produced. 

The  hay  from  the  plots  during  the 
first  season  was  of  such  diverse  character  that  different 
ton  values  had  to  be  placed  upon  it  in  estimating  the 
profit  from  the  use  of  fertilizers.  That  from  the  no- 
Nitrate  plot,  since  it  contained  so  much  clover  at  both 
cuttings,  was  considered  worth  only  $9.00  a  ton;  the 
first  cutting  on  the  small  Nitrogen  ration  was  valued 


Types  of  Characteristic  Rock  Shattering  (1). 


lypes  of  Characteristic  Rock  Shattering  ("2). 


Tyi)es  of  Characteristic  Rock  Shattering  (3). 


Food  for  at  $12.00   and  the   second   cutting  at   $10.00;    while 
^^^°^^  $16.00  and  $12.00  were  the  values  given  to  the  first 
88       and  second  cuttings  respectively  on  the  plot  receiving 
the  full  ration  of  Nitrate. 

But  the  reduction  in  the  percentage  of  clover  was 
not  the  only  benefit  to  the  quality  of  the  hay.  The 
Nitrate  also  decreased  the  proportion  of  red  top  as 
compared  with  the  finer  timothy.  This  tendency  was 
noticed  in  the  second  year,  when  a  count  of  the  stalks 
on  selected  equal  and  typical  areas  showed  13  per  cent, 
of  timothy  on  the  150  pound  plot,  and  44  per  cent,  on 
the  450  pound  plot.  In  the  third  year  the  percentages 
of  timothy  were  39  per  cent,  and  67  per  cent.,  respec- 
tively, and  in  the  fourth  year  the  differences  were  even 
more  marked. 

Timothy  is  a  grass  which  will  not  tol- 
An  Alkaline  erate  an  acid  soil,  and  it  is  probable 

for  tosr^^^  that  the  liming  given  these  plots  in 
1897  did  not  make  them  as  "sweet'  as 
would  have  been  best  for  this  crop.  Now,  when  Nitrate 
of  Soda  is  used  by  plants,  more  of  the  nitric  acid  is  used 
than  of  the  soda  and  a  certain  portion  of  the  latter, 
which  is  an  alkali,  is  left  to  combine  with  other  free 
acids  in  the  soil.  This,  like  lime,  neutrahzes  the  acids 
and  thus  "sweetens"  the  soil  for  the 
How  Nitrate  timothy.     Red   top,  on    the  contrary, 

Neutralizes  Soil      ^Jogg  ^ygH  on  soils  Avhich  are  slightly  acid. 
Acids  and  ^^^  ^^  would  have  the  advantage  over 

g^il^  timothy  in  a  soil  not  perfectly  sweet. 

With  the  assistance  of  the  Soda  set 
free  from  the  Nitrate,  the  timothy  was  more  than  able 
to  hold  its  own  and  thus  to  make  what  the  market  calls  a 
finer,  better  hay;  and  since  the  market  demands  tim- 
othy and  pays  for  it,  the  farmer  who  sells  hay  is  wise 
if  he  meets  the  demand. 

Financial  Profit  from  Use  of  Nitrate. 

„      J  ^  Frequently  more  plant  food  is  paid 

HOW  it  I'ays.         ^^^  ^^^  p^^  ^^  ^j^^  j^^j^^  ^j^^^  ^j^^  ^j.^p 

can  possibly  use,  the  excess  being  entirely  thrown  away, 
or,  at  best,  saved  to  benefit  some  subsequent  crop. 


Rock  before  Blasting  One  Pound  of  Forty  Per  Cent.  Dynamite. 


Same  Rock  Shattered  by  the  Explosion  of  Dynamite, 


Food  for  This  was  far  from  the  case  in  these  trials.     Indeed,  it 
was  found  by  analysis  of  the  hay  that  more  potash  was 


90  removed  by  the  crops  of  the  first  two  years  than  had 
been  added  in  the  muriate  used,  consequently  the 
amount  applied  upon  each  plot  was  increased  in  1901 
and  in  1902.  The  Nitrogen  requirement  of  the  crops 
was  found  to  be  slightly  less  than  was  supplied  in  450 
pounds  of  Nitrate  and  the  amount  was  reduced  to  400 
pounds  in  1901,  and  changed  to  415  pounds  in  1902.  The 
Nitrate  on  the  second  plot  was  also  reduced  in  propor- 
tion. The  phosphoric  acid,  however,  was  probably  in 
considerable  excess,  since  liming  sets  free  phosphoric 
acid  already  in  the  soil  and  so  lessens  the  apparent 
financial  profit;  but  not  to  an  excessive  degree. 

Excess  of  Value  of  Hay  Over  Cost  of  Fertilizers. 

Nitrate  of  Soda  applied.            1899.            1900.  1901.  1902.  Average 

None $6.09     $13.42  $12.13  $7.44  $9.77 

150  lbs.* 14.34   20.37  23.97  16.52  18.80 

450  lbs.* 19.62   30.40  40.70  32.74  30.86 

*  Slightly  reduced  in  1901  and  1902. 

Practical  Conclusions. 

From  these  striking  results  it  must  be  evident  that 
grass  land  as  well  as  tilled  fields  is  greatly  benefited  by 
Nitrate,  and  that  it  would  be  to  the  advantage  of  most 
farmers  to  improve  the  fertility  of  their  soils  by  growing 
good  crops  of  grass,  aided  thereto  by  liberal  fertilizing. 
The  application  should  be  in  the 
Top-Dressmg  ^^^.^^  ^£  ^  top-dressing,  applied  very  early 
in  the  spring  in  order  that  the  first 
growth  may  find  readily  available  material  for  its  sup- 
port and  be  carried  through  the  season  with  no  check 
from  partial  starvation. 

On  land  which  shows  any  tendency  to  sour,  a  ton 
to  the  acre  of  slaked  lime  should  be  used  every  five  or 
six  years.  This  makes  the  land  sweet  and  promotes 
the  growth  of  grass  plants  of  the  best  kinds. 

Lime  should  be  sown  upon  the  plowed  land  and 
harrowed  into  the  soil.  Top-dressing  with  lime  after 
seeding  will  not  answer,  and.  in  the  case  of  very  acid 


soils,  the  omission  of  lime  at  the  proper  time  will  neces-  |f^t|°^ 
sitate  re-seeding  to  secure  a  good  stand  of  grass.  

All   the   elements   of   fertility  are  9i 

essential  so  that  ordinarily  complete  f  er-      ^^^'p^gtable 
tiUzers  may  be  used,  Nitrate  being  used      pj-actice. 
as  a  top  dresser,  though  on  some  soils 
rich  in  phosphoric  acid  or  potash,  one  or  both  of  these 
ingredients  may  be  used  in  small  quantity.     This  is 
particularly  true  of  phosphates  after  lime  has  been  ap- 
plied to  the  soil,  since  Hme  aids  to  set  the  phosphoric 
acid  free  from  its  natural  insoluble  combinations. 

Grass  seems  to  demand  less  phosphoric  acid  than 
was  applied  in  the  test;  but  it  responds  with  increasing 
profit  to  applications  of  Nitrate  of  Soda  up  to  250 
pounds  to  the  acre  when  ample  supplies  of  potash  and 
phosphates  are  present. 

No  stable  manure  has  been  used  upon  the  field 
under  experiment  for  over  twenty  years. 

The  Bulletins  of  the  Rhode  Island  Agricultural 
Experiment  Station,  or  Farmers'  Bulletin  No.  77,  pub- 
lished by  the  United  States  Department  of  Agriculture, 
tells  how  and  when  to  use  lime.  Details  of  excellent 
grass  experiments,  to  be  found  in  recent  Bulletins 
issued  by  the  Rhode  Island  Agricultural  Experiment 
Station,  Kingston,  Rhode  Island,  tell  about  Nitrate  of 
Soda. 

It  may  not  be  out  of  place  here  to      jT^tj-^te  of  Soda 
mention    the    fact    that    Mr.    Clark's      ^g  jj^^^  ^^^ 
success  in  obtaining  remarkably  large      Clark's  Grass 
yields  of  hay  for  a  number  of  years,  an      Cultivation, 
average  of  9  tons  of  cured  hay  per 
acre   for   11    years   in   succession,   has   been   heralded 
throughout  the  United  States.     He  attributes  his  suc- 
cess largely  to  the  liberal  dressings  of  Nitrate  of  Soda 
which  he  invariably  applies  to  his  fields  early  in  the 
spring,  and  which  start  the  grass  off  with  such  a  vigor- 
ous  growth   as   to  shade   and  crowd  out  all  noxious 
weeds  before  they  get  fairly  started  and  which  result 
in  a  large  crop  of  clean  and  high  priced  hay. 

It  is  also  known  that  many  who  have  tested  his 
methods  have  met  with  failure  chiefly  because  they 
neglected   to  supply  the   young   grass   plants   with  a 


How  Careful 
Cultivation 
May  Aid  in  the 
Profitable  Use 
of  Nitrate. 


Food  for  sufficient  amount  of  readily  available   food  for  their 
^°^^  use  in  early  spring,  and  before   the  organic  forms  of 
Nitrogen,  which  exist  in  the  soil  only 
in  an  insoluble  form  and  which  can- 
not be  utihzed  by  the  plants  as  food, 
are  converted  into  soluble  Nitrates  by 
the  action  of  bacteria  in  the  soil.     This 
does  not  occur  to  any  great  extent  until 
the  soil  warms  up  to  summer  temperature  when  it  is 
too  late  in  the  season  to  benefit  the  crops'  early  spring 
growth. 

It  is  important  that  we  always  bear  in  mind  the 
fact  that  our  only  source  of  Nitrogen  in  the  soil  for  all 
plants  is  the  remnants  of  former  crops  (roots,  stems,' 
dead  leaves,  weeds,  etc.)  in  different  stages  of  decom- 
position, and  that  in  the  early  spring  there  is  always 


1.  Without  Nitrogen.  2.  J^  Ration  of  Nitrogen.       3.  Full  Ration 

of  Nitrogen. 

All  three  fertilized  alike  with  muriate  of  potash  and  acid  phosphate. 
— R.  I.  Bu.  103. 


a  scarcity  of  Nitrogen  in  the  soil  in  an  available  form, 
for  the  reason  that  the  most  of  that  which  was  con- 
verted into  soluble  forms  by  the  action  of  the  soil 
bacteria  during  the  warm  summer  months  of  the  pre- 
vious year  was  either  utilized  by  the  plants  occupying 
the  ground  at  that  time  or  has  been  washed  down 
below  the  reach  of  the  roots  of  the  young  plants  by 
the  melting  snow  and  the  heavy  rains  of  late  winter 
and  earl}^  spring. 

When    we    consider    the    fact    that    most    plants 
require  and  take  up  about  75  per  cent,  of  their  total 


Nitrate  Ammoniate  during  the  earlier  stages  of  their 
growth  and  that  Nitrogen  is  the  element  most  largely 
entering  into  the  building  up  of  the  life  principle  (or 
protoplasm)  of  all  plants,  it  is  plain  that  we  cannot 
afford  to  jeopardize  the  chances  of  growing  crops  by 
having  only  an  insufficient  supply  of  immediately  avail- 
able Nitrogen  when  it  is  most  needed. 

According  to  experiments  in  Rhode  Grass. 
Island,  soils  are  less  exhausted  when 
complete  fertilizers  are  used  with  Nitrate  than  when 
no  Nitrate  is  used.  The  soda  always  left  behind  after 
the  Nitrate  of  Soda  is  used  up  conserves  the  lime 
and  potash,  and  unlocks  the  soil  silicates  and  thereby 
frees  lime  and  magnesia.  The  feeding  value  of  hay 
is  far  greater  when  Nitrate  is  used  as  a  fertilizer  in  this 
connection. 

Growing  Timothy  Hay 
for  Market. 


Food  for 
Plants 


93 


Experiments  with  Fertilizers, 

Highlands  Farms, 

1904-1906. 


Growing  hay  for  market  is  a  subject  that  is  receiv- 
ing much  attention  from  progressive  farmers  of  late  for 
several  reasons,  viz: 

First,  growing  hay  for  market  on  a  portion  of  the 
farm  is  a  partial  solution  of  the  serious  labor  problem; 
since  it  is  much  easier  to  get  several  hands  during  the 
rush  of  the  short  haying  season  than  to  get  good, 
efficient  labor  for  eight  or  nine  months  of  the  year; 

Second,  there  are  usually  several  fields  on  nearly 
every  farm  in  most  sections,  which,  owing  to  the  heavy 
character  of  the  soil,  or  for  various  other  reasons,  are 
more  suitable  for  growing  hay  than  for  growing  the 
several  crops  usually  grown  in  a  regular  rotation; 

Third,  where  the  method  of  seeding  down  a  por- 
tion of  a  large  farm  to  hay  has  been  practiced  it  has 
frequently  proven  that  the  net  profit  per  year  from 


Food  for  the  smaller  acreage  devoted  to  grain  and  hoed  crops, 
Plants  j^g^g^^gg  Qf  the  more  Uberal  fertihzing  and  better  cul- 


94  tivation  given  them,  was  as  great  as  was  formerly 
obtained  from  the  entire  farm,  leaving  the  value  of  the 
hay  as  clear  gain  over  the  old  method. 

The  selling  price  per  ton  of  good  Number  One 
Timothy  Hay  in  the  markets  of  America  usually  ranges 
between  10  and  20  per  cent,  higher  than  that  of  clover 
hay,  the  difference  frequently  being  nearly  enough  to 
cover  the  cost  of  harvesting  and  marketing  the  crop. 
This,  coupled  with  the  fact  that  the  yield  per  acre  of 
timothy  is  about  equal  to  that  of  clover,  and  it  is  much 
easier  to  cure  into  good  marketable  condition,  makes  it 
evident  that  timothy  is  the  more  profitable  to  raise  for 
market  in  those  States  where  the  soil  and  climatic  con- 
ditions are  favorable. 

We  have  been  trying  to  grow  timothy  by  seeding  it 
with  wheat  or  rye,  and  smothering  it  out  with  the  grain 
crop  the  first  year,  and  again  with  clover  the  second 
year,  until  the  remaining  timothy  plants  have  become 
so  weakened  because  of  these  unfavorable  conditions 
and  the  lack  of  necessary  plant  food  that  they  can  only 
make  a  stunted  growth.  The  result  of  this  general 
method  of  growing  hay  has  been  an  average  yield  for  the 
whole  country  of  one  and  one-quarter  tons  per  acre, 
while,  by  adopting  better  methods,  it  is  possible  to 
grow  three  or  four  tons  per  acre  and,  where  conditions 
are  extremely  favorable,  as  much  as  six  tons  of  timothy 
per  acre  can  often  be  grown  in  one  season. 

In  view  of  the  conditions  here  pointed  out,  an  ex- 
periment was  planned  in  order  to  determine  whether  on 
soils  naturally  well  adapted  for  hay  growing,  but  out  of 
condition,  it  is  practicable  to  properly  prepare  the  land 
and  to  maintain  the  meadow  so  as  to  secure  profitable 
crops  for  a  period  of  years  by  the  use  of  commercial 
fertilizers  alone. 

Location  of  the  Experiments  and 
Condition  of  the  Land. 

The  land  upon  which  the  experiments  were  made  is 
located   on   the   eastern    central    grazing    and    dairy 


95 


plateau    of    New   York,    at   Highlands   Experimental  g^J«' 

farms.     Both  river  flatland  and  upland  soils  were  used,  

making  it  possil)le  to  study  both  kinds  of  soil  where 
chmatic  and  seasonal  conditions  were  the  same.  The 
character  of  the  flatland  is  made  up  of  silt,  which  is  of 
considerable  depth  and  which  is  still  being  deposited  by 
means  of  overflows  each  spring.  It  was  badly  infested 
with  wild  sedge  grass,  and  one  portion  of  the  meadow 
had  not  been  harvested  for  several  years.  The  uplands 
are  more  or  less  rolUng,  of  light  loam,  not  excessively 
rich  in  humus,  and  sometimes  affected  by  droughts. 

Preparation  of  Soil  and  Seeding. 

Preparation  for  the  experiments  was  begun  in  1904; 
and  typical  areas  were  laid  off  and  the  land  prepared  in 
the  best  manner. 

A  method  of  seeding  in  this  part  of  the  State  is  to 
sow  timothy  in  corn  at  the  last  cultivation,  usually  the 
latter  part  of  July.  The  corn  was  planted  as  early  as 
possible,  and  just  before  the  last  cultivation  20  quarts  of 
timothy  seed  were  used  per  acre.  On  the  flatland  the 
crop  of  wild  sedge  grass  was  cut  early  in  June,  the  field 
plowed,  and  quite  frequently  cultivated  until  about 
the  first  of  September,  when  it  was  carefully  seeded  at 
the  rate  of  20  quarts  of  timothy  per  acre. 

Two  methods  of  seeding  were  practiced  on  the  up- 
land; in  one  case  the  pasture  was  plowed  early,  seeded  to 
oats,  and  as  soon  as  the  crop  was  harvested,  the  stubble 
was  plowed,  then  frequently  cultivated,  and  seeded  with 
20  quarts  of  timothy  per  acre  about  the  15th  of  Septeni- 
ber.  In  the  other  case,  the  pasture  land  was  plowed  in 
June,  rolled  down  and  thoroughly  and  frequently  cul- 
tivated and  similarly  seeded  about  the  24th  of  Septem- 
ber. The  latter  method,  however,  did  not  kill  the 
native  grass,  and  is  not  recommended. 

Fertilizers  Used. 

Since  one  object  of  this  experiment  was  to  deter- 
mine whether  profitable  cropping  could  be  continued  for 
more  than  one  season,  the  land  was  not  only  thoroughly 


Food  for  prepared,  but   amply   supplied  with  phosphoric  acid, 
potash  and  lime,  in  order  that  tliere  might  be  no  defi- 


96  ciency  in  the  quantity  of  mineral  constituents  required 
for  the  crop.  On  the  highest  and  most  gravelly  portion 
of  the  upland,  stable  manure  was  applied  to  supply 
humus  and  increase  the  absorptive  power  of  the  soil, 
and  on. all  the  land  one  ton  of  lime  was  applied  per  acre 
before  plowing;  after  plowing  and  rolling,  and  before 
harrowing,  there  was  applied  to  each  acre  600  pounds 
acid  phosphate,  200  pounds  sulphate  of  potash,  and,  in 
addition  to  this,  the  lowland  received  an  application  of 
740  pounds  of  basic  slag  phosphate,  and  the  upland  540 
pounds.  The  Nitrogen  was  all  in  the  form  of  Nitrate, 
and  was  applied  as  a  top-dressing  in  the  spring. 

The  following  table  shows  the  kinds  and  amounts 
of  fertilizers  that  were  applied  for  the  crops  of  1905  and 
1906: 

Kind  and  Quantity  of  Fertilizers  Used  Per  Acre. 

Upland.  Lowl.vnd. 

1905.  190G.  1905.            1906. 

Pounds.  Pound.s.  Pounds.       Pounds. 

Lime 2,000  ....  2,000 

Wood  Ashes 520  ....              520 

Acid  Phosphate 600  578  600             578 

Basic  Slag 540  ....  740 

Sulphate  of  Potash 200  ....  200 

Nitrate  of  Soda 200  168  200             112 

The  mineral  fertilizers  for  the  crop  of  1905  were 
applied  in  the  fall  of  1904,  those  for  the  crop  of  1906  were 
applied  during  the  summer  of  1905.  The  Nitrate  of 
Soda  was  all  applied  as  a  top-dressing  in  the  spring,  and 
was  evenly  distributed  as  soon  as  the  grass  had  nicely 
started.  The  quantities  of  Nitrate  applied  were  not  as 
large  as  is  sometimes  recommended,  but  sufficient  to 
provide  for  a  large  yield,  if  fully  utilized. 

The  effect  of  the  thorough  preparation  of  soil  was 
noticeable  at  once  in  the  good  stand  of  plants  secured, 
and  in  the  vigorous  growth  and  good  top  made  in  the 
fall.  The  plants  wintered  well,  and  after  the  Nitrate 
top-dressing  had  been  made  the  grass  on  these  plots 
grew  luxuriantly,  and  made  a  large  yield  of  hay,  as  is 
shown  in  the  tabulated  statements  herewith. 


97 


The  records  include  all  the  items  of  cost  of  prepar-  IJ^^J^"" 

ing  the  land,  fertihzing  and  seeding.    This  initial  cost  is 

relatively  high,  but  since  the  expectation  was  to  con- 
tinue experimenting  upon  grass  for  a  period  of  years, 
the  cost  per  annum  of  preparation,  seeding  and  fertiliz- 
ing is  considerably  lessened. 

Cost  Per  Acre  of  Preparing  Upland  and  Lowland, 
Seeding  and  Fertilizing. 

Cost  per  Acre.  Total  Cost  per  Acre. 

No.  Times.  Each  Time  Upland.  Lowland. 

Plowing 1       $2.00  $2.00  $2.00 

Rolling 3            .20  .60  .60 

Pulverizing 8           .75  6.00  6.00 

Sowing  seed  one-half  each  way. .  2           .10  .20  .20 

20  qts.  seed  @  $2.60  per  bu.  .  .  -         1.62  1.62  1.62 

Dragging  in  seed 1           .20  .20  .20 

Sowing  fertUizers 4           .30  1 .20  1 .20 

2,000  lbs.  stone-lime  @  $6.50  per  ton 6.50  6.50 

600  lbs.  acid  phosphate  (14%)  @  $14.00  per  ton.  4 .  20  4 .  20 

200  lbs.  sulphate  of  potash  @  $50.00  per  ton ....  5.00  5 .  00 

540  lbs.  Thomas  phosphate  @  $13.50  per  ton. ...  3 .  65           

740  lbs.  Thomas  phosphate  @  $13.50  per  ton. . . .     5 .  00 

Total  cost  for  a  6-year  period $31.17       $32 .  52 

Co.st  for  one  year $5 .  19         $5 .42 

This  cost  of  preparation,  fertilizing  and  seeding, 
which  may  seem  relatively  high  to  farmers  who  have  not 
been  accustomed  to  so  thoroughly  prepare  the  soil  or  to 
fertilize  so  heavily,  is  really  not  greater  than  seeding 
actually  costs  when  the  object  is  to  obtain  only  one  crop. 
The  cost  of  plowing  is  the  same  in  any  case,  and  the 
ordinary  preparation,  seeding  and  manuring  or  fertiliz- 
ing will  make  the  average  cost  of  seeding  nearly  as  high 
as  is  here  given  for  each  acre  per  year.  Many  farmers 
will  also  object  to  this  heavy  fertilization  with  minerals; 
the  answer  to  this  is  that  if  grass  is  to  be  seeded  down  for 
a  series  of  years,  it  would  be  folly  not  to  supply  an 
abundance  when  it  is  possible  to  thoroughly  distribute 
them  throughout  the  entire  surface  soil,  so  that  the  feed- 
ing roots  reaching  everywhere  in  it  may  find  food,  hence 
the  heavy  application  when  seeding  down.  Later  appli 
cations  must  be  made  upon  the  surface  and  can  only 
gradually  work  down  into  the  lower  layers. 


Food  for  The  main  point,  however,  is  to  determine  whether  it 

_Z!^  is  a  paying  proposition,  and  the  following  tables  show 

98       the  yield  and  value  of  crops,  as  well  as  the  profits 

derived  when  mineral  fertilizers  only  are  used,  and  also 

when  Nitrate  of  Soda  is  used  in  addition. 

Yield  of  Crops  in  1905. 

Upland.  Lowland. 

Without     With  200  lbs.      Without     With  200  lbs 

Nitrate, 


Nitrate, 


3,180  lbs. 


Yield  per  acre.  , 
Increase  from  Ni- 
trate     5,160  lbs. 


Nitrate 
per  acre. 

8,340  lbs. 
162% 


6,985   lbs. 
1,727  lbs. 


Nitrate 
per  acre. 

8,712  lbs. 

24.7% 


Crop  of  Grass  Grown  by  Nitrate  Top-Dressing.     1906. 

These  results  are  strikingly  significant,  showing  in 
the  first  place  the  difference  in  adaptability  of  the  two 
soils  for  hay  growing.  The  upland  was  deficient  in 
humus,  and  being  dry  and  gravelly,  was  unable  to  pro- 
vide Nitrogen  in  any  quantity  although  an  abundance 
of  minerals  was  present.  The  lowland,  on  the  other 
hand,  containing  a  large  proportion,  was  capable  of  fur- 


99 


nishing  the  Nitrogen  needed  for  a  relatively  large  crop,  ^J^^^s 

or  more  than  double  that  on  the  upland.    This  is  a  very  

clear  illustration  of  the  importance  of  the  use  of  Nitrogen 
with  minerals,  if  full  crops  are  to  be  harvested.  The 
application  of  Nitrate  of  Soda  on  the  upland  proved 
much  more  efficient  than  on  the  lowland,  not  only  in 
supplying  Nitrogen  in  immediately  available  forms,  but 
in  energizing  the  plants  to  obtain  more  from  the  soil, 
showing  a  gain  in  yield  of  162  per  cent.,  while  on  the  low- 
land the  gain  was  but  24.7  per  cent.;  the  soil  itself  being 
able  in  this  case  to  supply  a  larger  proportion  of  the 
Nitrogen  required  to  produce  a  crop  as  large  as  the 
chmatic  and  seasonal  conditions  would  permit.  The 
main  point,  however,  is  not  how  large  a  yield  may  be 
obtained,  but  the  profits  that  may  be  derived.  The 
following  table  shows  the  financial  results  of  the  two 
experiments  from  two  standpoints:  (1)  whether  it  is 
profitable  to  grow  hay  under  the  conditions,  as  outhned 
here;  and  (2)  whether  the  use  of  Nitrate  will  pay. 


1905. 
Cost  of  Crops. 


1 

Preparation  and 
Seeding  and 
Cost  of  Mineral 
Fertilizers 

Nitrate  of  Soda 

-.5  g 
< 

1 

-2a 

£"0 
0 

II 
|g 

11 

0 

Upland: 
With  Nitrate... 
Without    "    ... 

Lowland: 
With  Nitrate... 
Without    "    ... 

8340 
3180 

8712 
6985 

$5.19 
5.19 

5.42 
5.42 

$5.20 

5.20 



$0.30 

$8.34 

3.18 

8.71 
6.99 

$19.03 
8.37 

19.63 
12.41 

1 

$50.24  $31.21 

19  08    1"  '''' 

$20.50 

0.30 

52.27 
41.91 

32.64 
29.50 

3.14 

The  first  point  of  importance  shown  by  this  detailed 
statement  is  that  notwithstanding  the  expense  involved, 
there  is  a  profit  in  hay  growing;  that  it  pays  to  expend 
money  for  the  good  preparation  of  soil,  for  good  seed  and 
for  fertilizers — in  fact,  if  the  entire  cost  had  been 
charged  to  the  first  crop,  there  would  have  been  a  profit 
of  $5.23  per  acre  wdiere  Nitrate  was  used  on  the  upland. 
Second,  that  it  pays  to  use  Nitrate;  and  third,  that  the 


Food  for  ]^ind  of  soil  to  which  Nitrate  is  applied  measures  in  a 
^^^^^  marked  degree  the  profit  to  be  derived  from  its  appHca- 
100  tion.  On  the  upland,  the  crop  without  Nitrate  was 
worth  but  $19.08  per  acre,  while  the  appHcation  of  200 
pounds  of  Nitrate  caused  the  value  to  increase  to  $50.24 
— a  gain  of  $31.16  per  acre;  deducting  the  cost  of  the 
Nitrate  and  extra  cost  of  harvesting,  we  have  a  net 
increase  in  value  of  $20.50  per  acre,  or  for  each  dollar 
invested  a  net  return  of  nearly  $4.00. 

On  the  lowland,  the  crop  without  Nitrate  was  worth 
$41.91  per  acre,  and,  with  Nitrate,  $52.27,  a  gain  of 


The  Tedders  follow  th 


]Mo^\  iiig  Machines  for  rapid  curing  of  heavy 
crops  of  hay. 


$10.36,  which  is  reduced  to  $3.14  when  the  cost  of 
Nitrate  and  harvesting  is  deducted,  still  a  good  profit 
on  the  investment,  though  clearly  indicating  that 
Nitrogen  was  not  the  limiting  factor  in  crop  production 
as  was  the  case  on  the  upland.  In  making  the  tables, 
the  actual  cost  of  labor,  seed  and  fertilizers  was  used. 
The  value  of  the  hay  was  estimated  at  $12.00  per  ton, 
and  based  on  weights  at  time  of  harvesting.  The  shrink- 
age of  hay  will  range  from  15  to  25  per  cent.;  assuming 
the  shrinkage  to  be  as  unusually  high  as  25  per  cent.. 


the  value  per  ton  would  have  to  increase  to  $16.00  to  pj^^^^*^ 
balance,  which  is  lower  than  prevailing  prices  have  been 


since  that  year  for  No.  1  Timothy.  ,  ,  '°^ 

Crops  of  igo6.  /[ 

The  experiment  was  continued  in  190(),  oh  tHe  same 
areas.  In  order  to  insure  a  constant  and  abundant 
supply,  mineral  fertihzers  were  again  added  in  the  form 
of  wood  ashes  and  acid  phosphate,  and  in  the  amounts 
shown  in  the  table,  namely,  520  pounds  of  wood  ashes 
and  578  pounds  of  acid  phosphate  per  acre  on  both  the 
fields. 

The  applications  of  Nitrate  were,  however,  reduced 
from  200  to  168  pounds  on  the  upland;  and  to  112 
pounds  on  the  lowland  per  acre.  These  fertilizers  were 
all  evenly  distributed  in  the  spring  of  1906.  The  effect 
of  the  Nitrate  was  again  immediately  noticeable  in  in- 
creasing the  vigor  of  the  plants.  The  yields  were  as 
follows : 


Yield  of  Crops  in  1906. 

Upland. 

Lowland. 

With 
Without          168  lbs. 
Nitrate.           Nitrate 

With 
Without          112  lbs. 
Nitrate.           Nitrate 

per  acre. 

ield  per  acre 3,200  lbs.  6,240  lbs. 

icrease  from  Nitrate  3,040  lbs.     95.0% 

per  acre. 
5,920  lbs.     8,080  lbs. 
2,160  lbs.       36.4% 

These  results  confirm  those  for  1905  on  the  whole, 
though  there  are  points  of  difference  which  may  be 
reasonably  charged  to  season  and  to  the  effect  of  the 
growth  of  the  first  crop.  On  the  upland,  which  was 
poor  in  humus  and  Nitrogen,  the  yield  of  the  plot  with- 
out Nitrate  differs  but  little  from  that  of  1905,  while  on 
the  lowland,  the  soil  rich  in  humus,  the  yield  without 
Nitrate  is  much  lower  than  in  1905.  On  the  upland 
the  Nitrogen  at  the  disposal  of  the  plant  did  not  exist 
in  easily  changeable  forms,  and  hence  was  not  largely 
exhausted  under  the  energy  of  the  extra  mineral  food. 
The  lowland,  on  the  other  hand,  doubtless  contained 
considerable  Nitrogen  in  easily  changeable  forms, 
which  under  the  stimulus  of  the  available  phosphoric 
acid  and  lime  was  made  effective  on  the   grass,  and 


Food  for  resulted  in  a  comparatively  large  yield,  leaving  the  soil 
^^°^^  much  poorer  in  Nitrogen  for  the  next  crop. 
I02  It  would  appear  from  this  reasoning,  that  the  need 

for  applied  Nitrogen,  while  greater  for  the  upland  in 
1905  than  in  1906,  is  not  so  striking  as  in  the  lowland. 
This  assumption  is  borne  out  by  the  facts;  the  gain  on 
the  upland  in  1905  is  3,040  pounds,  or  95  per  cent., 
as  against  a  gain  of  5,160  pounds,  or  162  per  cent,  in 
1906;  while  the  gain  on  the  lowland  is  36.4  per  cent,  in 
1906,  as  against  24.7  per  cent,  in  1905.     The  lower 


Hay     Weeds 
Unfertilized 


Hay     Weeds  Hay     Weeds 

Nitrat€  of  Soda     Sulphate  of  Ammonia 


Hay     Weeds 
Dried  Blood 


Hay    Weeds 
Limed 


percentage  increase  in  yield  from  Nitrate  on  the  upland 
being  due  in  part,  at  least,  to  the  fact  that  the  Nitrate 
used  in  1905  energized  the  plants  to  acquire  more  from 
soil  sources  than  was  possible  with  the  use  of  minerals 
only,  and  in  part  to  the  lower  quantity  applied  in  1906, 
168  pounds  instead  of  200  pounds. 

On  the  lowland  the  greater  percentage  increase  this 
year,  due  to  Nitrate,  is  for  the  same  reason  that  it  was 
greater  in  1905  on  the  upland  than  in  1906.  This  is  a 
clear  demonstration  again  of  the  influence  of  character 


of  soil  as  a  determining  factor.     Instead  of  reducing  the  pj^^f®^ 

amount  of  Nitrate  used  in  1906,  it  should  have  been  in-  

creased,  especially  on  the  upland.     The  value  of  crop       ^°3 
and  profits  are  also  influenced  by  the  smaller  amounts 
of  Nitrate  applied,  as  shown  in  the  comparative  profits 
in  the  tabulated  statement. 

igo6 
Cost  of  Crops. 


1 

2 

-a 
a  ** 

is 

•o 

S 

3 
f2 

■3  0, 

9 

L 

22 

C.5 

>H 

£ 

< 

O 

'A 

^^ 

Upland: 

With  Nitrate... 

G240 

$5.19 

$12.60 

$0.90 

$6.24 

$24.93 

$37.44 

$12.51 

$10.20 

Without    "    ... 

3200 

5.19 

7.90 

.60 

3.20 

16.89 

19.20 

2.31 

Lowland: 

With  Nitrate... 

8080 

5.42 

11.04 

.90 

8.08 

25.44 

48.48 

23.04 

7.36 

Without    "    ... 

5920 

5.42 

7.90 

.60 

5.92 

19.84 

35.52 

15.68 

In  making  up  this  table,  the  actual  cost  of  labor  and  ' 
fertilizers  is  recorded,  while  the  value  of  dry  hay  was 
estimated  to  be  $12  per  ton  when  stored,  as  in  1905. 

As  a  whole,  the  results  confirm  those  of  1905  in 
showing  a  profit  in  all  cases,  ranging  from  $2.31  per  acre, 
without  Nitrate,  on  the  upland;  to  $23.04  wuth  Nitrate, 
on  the  lowland.  It  is  to  be  expected  from  the  preceding 
discussion  that  the  relative  profits  from  the  use  of 
Nitrate  on  the  two  areas  is  changed,  the  net  profit  of 
$20.50  on  the  upland  being  reduced  to  $10.20,  and  that 
of  $3.14  on  the  lowland  being  increased  to  $7.36  per  acre. 
These  net  results,  secured  under  what  would  be  regarded 
as  expensive  methods,  are  certainly  satisfactory  from  a 
financial  standpoint,  and  indicate  that  on  lands  requir- 
ing expensive  treatment  hay  growing  may  be  made 
profitable,  and  warrant  the  following  general  sugges- 
tions as  to  the  growing  of  profitable  crops : 

The  essential  conditions  necessary  for  obtaining 
maximum  crops  of  timothy  are,  first,  a  clean,  thick 
stand  of  healthy  timothy  plants;  second,  an  abundance 
of  available  plant-food  is  needed  by  the  plants  to  make 
a  normal  growth. 


Food  for  ii  must  not  be  overlooked  that  available  plant-food 

at  the  right  time  implies  that  there  shall  be  sufficient 

^°4  moisture  present  in  the  soil  to  carry  the  plant-food  into 
the  roots  of  the  plants  in  a  soluble  form;  and  just  in 
proportion  as  we  fail  to  have  a  sufficient  supply  of 
moisture  present  when  needed,  we  render  our  supply 
of  plant-food  unavailable  as  far  as  plant  growth  is  con- 
cerned. Thus,  it  is  well  known  that  very  frequently 
the  limiting  factor  in  the  growth  of  plants  is  a  lack  of 
sufficient  moisture  in  the  soil  at  a  critical  time  rather 
than  a  deficiency  of  actual  plant-food  in  the  soil. 

For  this  reason  it  is  best  to  select  those  portions  of 
the  farm  for  growing  timothy,  in  which  the  soil  is  rather 
heavy  and  retentive  of  moisture.  When  there  is  a 
supply  of  stable  manure  available  for  use  in  hay  grow- 
ing, it  should,  whenever  possible,  be  plowed  under  or 
otherwise  worked  into  the  soil  before  seeding,  and  not 
be  used  as  a  top-dressing  on  meadows  already  seeded, 
for  the  reason  that  the  chief  value  of  stable  manure  is 
that  it  adds  large  quantities  of  humus-making  material 
■  to  our  soils,  and  the  soils  need  their  humus  in  them  and 
not  on  them.  For  similar  reasons  stable  manure  should 
be  applied  to  those  soils  most  deficient  in  humus  and  not 
to  the  muck  lands  and  those  that  are  naturally  moist. 

Preparing  Land. 

The  river-bottom  lands,  because  of  their  silt  forma- 
tion and  the  added  fertility  which  they  receive  in  their 
annual  overflow,  together  with  their  abundant  supply  of 
moisture  during  the  entire  season,  are  able  to  produce 
the  largest  crops  of  timothy,  at  the  lowest  cost  per  ton, 
but  these  soils  are  usually  very  foul  with  quack,  sedges 
and  wild  grasses,  which  must  be  largely  eradicated,  in 
order  to  get  a  stand  of  clean  timothy. 

Where  there  are  stumps  or  rocks  that  would  inter- 
fere with  the  operations  of  haying  machinery,  it  is 
advisable  to  remove  them  wherever  possible,  and  it 
was  found  that  the  judicious  use  of  dynamite  effected  a 
great  saving  in  the  time  and  expense  of  this  operation. 

After  plowing,  the  land  should  be  rolled  and  then 
thoroughly  worked  every  week  or  ten  days  up  to  seeding 


los 


time.     The  field  should  be  worked  in  small  lands,  going  ^f^d  for 
around  each  land,  and  always  lapping  the  harrow  one-  - 
half,  so  that  the  surface  may  be  kept  level. 

If  there  are  any  deep  holes  in  the  field,  resultmg 
from  the  removal  of  boulders  or  other  cause,  they  should 
be  filled  in  at  the  time  of  the  first  harrowing,  and  if 
there  are  any  surface  ditches  they  should  be  niade 
shallow  with  gradually  sloping  sides,  wherever  possible, 
so  that  the  entire  surface  of  the  field  can  be  gone  over 
with  a  mowing  machine  in  any  direction  when  the  hay 
crop  is  to  be  harvested. 

The  difference  in  the  expense  of  preparing  a  field 
right,  or  only  partially  so,  is  very  slight,  when  consider- 
ing possible  breakage  of  machinery  when  harvesting  the 
crops  of  several  years,  figured  on  the  basis  of  low 
cost  per  ton  of  product,  and  this  factor  is  of  double  im- 
portance in  the  preparation  of  land  on  which  it  is 
possible  to  harvest  two  crops  each  season. 

Liming. 

It  is  known  that  timothy  cannot  thrive  and  yield 
maximum  crops  in  a  sour  soil,  while  red-top  seems  to 
dehght  in  such  soil,  and  one  of  the  surest  indications  that 
a  soil  is  sour  is  when  we  find  the  timothy  meadow  run 
out  after  two  or  three  years  and  the  ground  occupied 
by  red-top.  The  presence  of  sorrel,  five-finger, 
mosses,  daisies  and  mulleins  are  also  indications  of  a 
sour  soil,  and  timothy  cannot  be  made  to  do  its  best  on 
those  soils  until  they  are  made  sweet.  The  quickest  and 
most  practical  way  to  accomplish  this  is  by  the  liberal 
application  of  lime  in  some  form.  This  may  be  apphed 
in  the  form  of  stonelime,  either  ground  or  unground,  or 
air-slaked;  or  in  connection  with  potash  in  wood  ashes. 
The  amount  of  lime  to  apply  should  be  generally  about 
one-half  ton  per  acre. 

If  we  use  Hme  in  the  form  of  ashes  or  ground  stone- 
Hme,  it  can  be  drilled  into  the  soil  at  the  right  depth 
with  a  fertilizer  drill,  but  if  we  use  air-slaked  lime  or 
lump  lime  and  slake  it  in  the  field,  it  should  be  spread 
either  before  plowing  or  immediately  after  the  first 
harrowing  and  before  the  ground  is  rolled,  so  that  the 


Food  for  |3uij^  ^f  ^^q  j^j^g  y^[\\  g^i  down  into  the  soil  at  the  right 

depth. 

'°^  Mineral  Fertilizers. 

This  question  of  the  correct  application  of  the 
mineral  elements  of  plant-food  is  of  great  importance, 
and  has  not  received  the  consideration  it  deserves — 
especially  is  this  so  in  regard  to  fertilizing  meadows  or 
grass  lands,  which  usually  remain  seeded  down  for 
several  years,  and  there  is  no  time  after  the  seed  is 
sown  that  the  phosphoric  acid  and  potash  can  be  gotten 
down  into  the  soil  where  they  belong,  which  place  is  from 
three  to  six  inches  under  the  surface.  When  phosphoric 
acid  or  potash  are  used  as  a  top-dressing  for  meadows, 
it  is  known  that  they  become  fixed  largely  in  the  surface 
and  consequently  tend  to  attract  the  feeding  roots  of 
the  plants  to  the  surface  of  the  soil,  where  they  are 
least  able  to  withstand  the  effects  of  drought,  which  is  so 
often  such  a  serious  factor. 

The  amount  of  phosphoric  acid  and  potash  to  be 
used  depends  upon  the  soil  entirely,  and  can  only  be 
approximated,  but  the  fact  that  they  both  become  fixed 
in  the  soil  so  that  there  is  practically^  no  danger  of  loss 
from  one  season  to  another,  allows  us  to  be  more  liberal 
than  we  otherwise  would,  and  since  the  best  time  to 
apply  it  is  before  the  seed  is  sown,  we  should  be  liberal 
in  regard  to  the  quantity  used  for  obvious  reasons. 

For  good,  medium-clay  land  of  average  fertility, 
there  should  be  drilled  into  the  soil  broadcast,  at  least 
300  pounds  per  acre  of  16  per  cent,  acid  phosphate  and 
300  pounds  of  ground  bone,  also  150  pounds  per  acre  of 
sulphate  of  potash  or  its  equivalent,  and  if  the  soil  is  a 
poor,  sandy  or  gravelly  soil,  or  a  peaty  or  muck  soil, 
which  are  known  to  be  usually  deficient  in  these  ele- 
ments, the  quantity  of  each  should  be  doubled.  Re- 
member when  it  comes  to  fertilizing  our  crops,  the 
question  we  should  ask  ourselves  is  not  "how  much 
will  it  cost  me  to  furnish  my  crop  with  the  food  that  it 
needs?"  but  "how  much  will  it  cost  me  not  to  do  so.^^" 

Acid  phosphate  appears  to  be  the  safest  and  the 
best  form  in  which  to  apply  phosphoric  acid  to  soils 
for  hay  growing  generally. 


107 


High-grade  sulphate  of  potash  is  one  of  the  most  ^f^^f  ^ 
satisfactory  of  the  commercial  potash  salts  and  its  use  - 
does  not  tend  to  deplete  the  soil  of  its  lime  as  does  the 
use  of  muriate  of  potash.  The  phosphoric  acid  and 
potash  should  be  applied  to  the  soil  broadcast  to  the 
depth  of  at  least  three  inches  from  one  to  two  weeks 
before  sowing  the  seed.  Hard-wood  ashes  are  excellent 
when  not  adulterated,  as  a  source  of  potash  and  lime. 

Seeding. 

Twenty  quarts  per  acre  of  the  best  recleaned 
timothy  seed  obtainable  is  the  right  quantity  to  sow 
per  acre,  and  this  should  be  sown  between  August  15th 
and  September  15th,  the  time  that  timothy  naturally 
reseeds  itself.  It  can  best  be  sown  with  a  wheelbarrow, 
broadcast  grass  seeder,  sowing  ten  quarts  each  way  of 
the  field  for  most  even  distribution,  after  which  the 
seed  should  be  dragged  into  the  soil  about  one  inch 
deep,  by  going  over  the  field  once  or  twice  with  a  slant- 
tooth  drag  or  a  weeder  with  sufficient  Aveight  attached 
to  obtain  the  desired  result. 

Finish  the  operation  by  going  over  the  field  with  a 
roller,  to  roll  down  the  loose  stones  on  the  surface  and  to 
compact  the  surface  soil,  thus  bringing  the  moisture  to 
the  surface  so  that  the  seed  will  all  germinate  at  once 
and  come  up  evenly  over  the  entire  field. 

Nitrate  Application. 

So  far  we  have  insured  a  good,  clean,  thick  stand  of 
healthy  timothy  plants,  and  we  have  supplied  them 
liberally  with  the  mineral  plant  foods  that  are  liable  to 
be  deficient  in  the  soil,  but  we  have  made  no  provision 
for  the  plants  having  an  abundant  supply  of  available 
Nitrogen  the  next  spring  when  they  are  making  their 
most  rapid  growth,  and  their  need  is  greatest.  At  that 
time  there  is  always  a  scant  supply  of  soluble  Nitrogen 
in  the  surface  soil,  owing  to  the  fact  that  when  the  excess 
moisture  settles  down  into  the  lower  levels  of  the  soil 
it  carries  Nitrogen  in  solution  with  it,  and  the  stores  of 
humus  Nitrogen  are  not  rendered  soluble,  except  in 
very  slight    amounts,  until  the    soil    warms   up   to  a 


io8 


Food  for  degree  of  temperature  wherein  the  soil  bacteria  again 
^°^^  become  active  and  convert  organic  and  other  forms  of 
Nitrogen  into  Nitrates. 

To  overcome  this  natural  deficiency  of  soluble 
Nitrogen  at  a  critical  time  in  the  growth  of  the  timothy 
plants,  we  must  supply  it  in  an  available  form,  and  this 
can  best  be  done  by  applying  broadcast  about  100  to 
200  pounds  of  Nitrate  of  Soda  per  acre  as  a  top-dressing 
as  soon  as  the  excess  moisture  has  settled  down  out  of 
the  surface  soil  and  growth  starts  in  the  spring,  between 
April  10th  and  May  10th,  in  our  principal  hay  growing 
States. 

In  other  words,  as  Professor  Thomas  F.  Hunt  puts 
it,  in  Cornell  University  Experiment  Station  Bulletin, 
No.  247,  p.  203: 

"Having  water-soluble  Nitrogen  on  tap  at  the  right  hour  and 
the  right  place  is  one  of  the  factors  that  enabled  the  Cornell 
Station  to  grow  three  and  one-half  tons  of  timothy  hay  on  Dunkirk 
clay  loam,  when  without  this  artificial  help  only  about  one  and  one- 
half  tons  could  be  raised." 

Report  of  Experiments. 
Season  of  1906. 

Highland  Experimental  Farms,  New  York. 

The  average  yields  per  acre  of  field-cured  hay  on 
the  uplands  were  as  follows : 

No  Nitrate — 3200  pounds  per  acre. 

168  lbs.  Nitrate — 6240  pounds  per  acre. 

The  average  yields  per  acre  of  field-cured  hay  on  the 
lowlands  were  as  follows : 

No  Nitrate — 5920  pounds  per  acre. 

112  lbs.  Nitrate— 8080  pounds  per  acre. 


Comparison  of  Yields,  1905  and  1906. 
Uplands. 
Season. 

1905.  No  Nitrate— 3180  lbs.  300  lbs.  Nitrate— 8340  lbs. 

1906.  No  Nitrate— 3200  lbs.  168  lbs.  Nitrate— 6240  lbs. 


Lowlands.  1?°^°"^ 

^  Plants 

season.  


1905.  No  Nitrate— 6985  lbs.  200  lbs.  Nitrate— 8712  lbs.      ^09 

1906.  No  Nitrate— 5920  lbs.  112  lbs.  Nitrate— 8080  lbs. 
Yield  of  original  "No  Nitrate"  hollow  square  plot 

in  field  of  timothy  and  red  top : 

Season  of  1905—3180  lbs. 
Season  of  1906—1760  lbs. 

The  yields  are  lower  for  1906  than  for  1905  owing  to 
smaller  applications  of  Nitrate  and  probably  also  to  the 
fact  that  there  was  much  less  rainfall  during  the  growing 
season. 

Experiments  with  Nitrate  of  Soda 
on  Oats  and  Peas  for  Hay. 

Highlands  Farms,  1907. 

The  original  purpose  of  this  experiment  was  to 
study  the  effect  of  the  application  of  different  quantities 
of  Nitrate  of  Soda  upon  the  yield  of  oats  and  peas  as  a 
preparatory  crop  for  seeding  the  land  to  permanent 
meadows.  The  character  of  the  soil  has  already  been 
described  on  previous  pages;  it  is  not  rich  in  humus, 
and  thus  not  highly  productive,  without  the  application 
of  manures  or  of  Nitrogen  in  some  soluble  form.  The 
location  is  such  as  to  furnish  excellent  natural  drainage, 
and  to  enable  the  land  to  be  rapidly  improved  by  proper 
methods  of  culture  and  fertilization.  Since  the  land  was 
intended  to  serve  as  an  experimental  field  for  the  grow- 
ing of  hay,  it  was  well  supplied  at  time  of  seeding  with 
the  mineral  elements,  viz.:  500  pounds  per  acre  of  an 
even  mixture  of  ground  bone,  acid  phosphate  and  sul- 
phate of  potash;  this  was  applied  broadcast,  and  har- 
rowed in  previous  to  seeding  the  oats  and  peas.  The 
land  was  thoroughly  prepared  early  in  the  spring, 
though  owing  to  the  lateness  of  the  season  the  planting 
was^not  made  until  May  1. 

The  plots  were  one-tenth  of  an  acre  in  area,  long 
and  narrow,  and  each  plot  separated  from  the  other  by 


Food  for  five-feet  strips  of  land,  which  were  kept  cultivated  and 
^  free  from  weeds.     The  scheme  for  treatment  was  as 


1 10      follows: 


Plot  Treatment.  Minerals. 

1  Nitrate  of  Soda 10  pounds. 

2  Nitrate  of  Soda 15  pounds. 

3  Check Minerals  only, 

4  Nitrate  of  Soda 20  pounds, 

5  Nitrate  of  Soda 25  pounds. 

6  Check Minerals  only. 

7  Nitrate  of  Soda 30  pounds. 

8  Nitrate  of  Soda 35  pounds. 

Since,  as  already  stated,  the  primary  purpose  in  the 
planning  of  the  experiment  was  to  have  the  land  seeded 
down  with  grass  immediately  after  the  oats  and  peas 
were  removed,  the  use  of  the  larger  quantity  of  Nitrate 
was  made  in  order  to  study  the  question  whether  the 
residual  Nitrate  from  the  large  application  would  be  of 
service  in  hastening  the  germination  and  early  growth  of 
the  grasses  that  were  to  be  seeded. 

Owing  to  circumstances  which  prevented  the  carry- 
ing out  of  this  object,  the  study  herewith  includes  only 
the  effect  of  the  different  quantities  of  Nitrate  upon  the 
oat  and  pea  crop.  The  mineral  fertilizer  was  applied 
immediately  after  plowing,  and  thoroughly  harrowed 
into  the  soil  over  the  entire  area;  the  Nitrate  was  next 
applied,  and  the  seed,  at  the  rate  of  one  and  one-half 
bushels  each  of  oats  and  peas  per  acre,  broadcasted 
upon  each  plot  and  harrowed  in. 

Careful  records  were  kept  of  the  appearance  of  the 
plots  during  the  growing  season;  up  to  June  26,  no  ap- 
parent difference  was  noticeable  in  the  appearance  and 
size  of  the  plants  on  the  different  plots.  On  July  3 
there  was  a  noticeable  difference  in  the  color,  thickness 
and  height  of  the  crops,  and  measurements  showed  the 
plants  on  plots  1,  2,  3  and  6,  to  be  10  inches  high,  and 
of  a  medium  green  color,  fairly  vigorous.  On  plots  4 
and  5,  the  oats  were  noticeably  taller,  while  upon  plots 
7  and  8,  there  was  a  very  marked  increase  in  size  and  in 
the  appearance  of  the  crop,  averaging  14  inches  as 
against  10  inches  upon  the  four  plots,  and  12  inches 
upon  plots  4  and  5. 


Observations  were  taken  thereafter  each  week  until  pJ^J*"^ 

the  crop  was  harvested,  Aug.  23.    These  differences  in 

appearance  held  throughout,  becoming  more  striking  as      ^^^ 
the  season  advanced.    For  example,  on  July  24  and  Aug. 
7  the  following  observations  were  made: 

July  24th. 

Plot  Inches. 

1  Oats  and  peas    32,  fair  color,  uneven,  very  few  peas. 

2  "  "  34,  dark  color,  even,  very  few  peas. 

3  "  "  28,  a  little  yellow,  uneven. 

4  "  "  38,  very  dark  color,  even. 

5  "  "  38,  very  dark  color,  even. 

6  "  "  28,  fair  color,  uneven,  very  few  peas. 

7  "  "  40,  very  dark  color,  and  even  over  the  whole 

plot. 

8  "        "  40,  very  dark  color,  and  even  over  the  whole 

plot. 

N.B.  Plots  Nos.  4,  5,  7  and  8  are  much  heavier,  darker  in 
color  and  are  very  even — there  is  a  greater  number  of  peas  and 
they  are  in  fine  condition  in  these  plots.  Noticed  some  rust  on 
all  the  plots.  On  plots  Nos.  1  and  6  the  few  peas  there  are  seem 
to  be  drying  up. 

August  7th. 

Plot  Inches. 

1  Oats  and  peas    37,  uneven,  very  few  peas  with  no  pods. 

2  "  "  39,  even,  few  peas. 

3  "  "  31,  uneven,  few  peas  with  no  pods. 

4  "  "  42,  very  even,  plenty  of  peas. 

5  "  "  42,  very  even,  plenty  of  peas. 

6  "  "  32,  uneven,  very  few  peas. 

7  "  "  44,  very  even  over  whole  plot. 

8  "  "  44,  very  even  over  whole  plot. 

N.  B.  Same  conditions  prevail  as  last  week  with  every  plot 
except  that  the  straw  is  beginning  to  change  its  color.^  Plots  Nos. 
4,  5,  7  and  8  are  somewhat  greener  than  the  rest,  with  plenty  of 
peas  of  good  color,  and  with  well-filled  pods.  Peas  in  plots  Nos. 
1,  2,  3  and  6  seem  to  be  drymg  up,  the  few  there  are. 

After  Aug.  7,  when  the  limit  of  growth  had  been 
reached,  no  changes  were  observed  in  the  appearance  of 
the  plots;  on  Aug.  21,  the  crops  were  harvested,  and  on 
Aug.  23  the  field-cured  crops  on  the  different  plots  were 
weighed  and  stored,  with  weights  per  plot  as  follows: 


Food  for 

Plot 

Plants 

1 

Hay 

320  pounds 

112 

2 
3 
4 
5 
6 

,: 

320 

210 

385 

460 

290 

7  ' 

-    i 

540 

8] 

ri; 

550 

The  first  point  requiring  particular  notice  is  the 
variation  in  the  proportions  of  oats  and  peas  on  the 
different  plots.  It  is  quite  evident  that  the  peas  must 
have  drawn  their  Nitrogenous  food  from  the  soil  rather 
than  from  the  air.  While  this  difference  in  proportion 
of  oats  and  peas  would  make  a  difference  in  the  quality 
of  the  hay  for  feeding,  it  probably  would  not  make  any 
difference  in  the  price  that  would  be  received  for  it  as 
hay.  The  oat  and  pea  crop  is  not  generally  grown  for 
market,  but  for  use  upon  the  farm  and  is  an  especially 
valuable  crop  upon  farms  devoted  largely  to  the  growing 
of  hay  for  market,  because  furnishing  food  for  stock, 
and  thus  enabling  the  disposal  of  the  high-priced  hay, 
though  really  less  useful  as  feed. 

The  second  point  to  be  observed  is  that  the  Nitrate 
increased  the  yield  of  crop  in  every  instance  above  that 
obtained  on  the  check  plots,  and  while  the  yields  upon 
the  check  plots  are  lower  than  upon  any  of  the  Nitrated 
plots,  that  upon  plot  6  is  much  higher  than  upon  plot  1, 
and  this  can  be  explained  on  the  ground  that,  owing  to 
the  larger  application  upon  plots  Nos.  5  and  7,  there 
may  have  been  some  feeding  upon  the  adjoining  crops, 
as  the  records  show  that  up  until  the  week  of  July  24,  no 
differences  were  discernible  in  the  height  and  the  appear- 
ance of  the  oats  upon  the  two  plots,  but  after  that  date 
the  crop  on  plot  6  began  to  improve.  The  average, 
however,  of  the  two  plots  is  so  much  lower  than  upon 
any  one  of  the  others  as  to  make  the  comparison  a  safe 
one  for  study. 

The  following  table  has  been  prepared  to  show  the 
increase  in  yields  upon  the  various  plots,  as  compared 
with  the  average  of  the  two  check  plots : 


Table  I.— Yield  of  Oat  and  Pea  Hay. 


Plot 

1 

2 
3 
4 
5 
6 
7 
8 


Yield  per  Yield  per    Increase  due 
Plot.     Acre  Total,   to  Nitrate. 

Pounds.      Pounds.  Pounds. 

Minerals  +  100  lbs.  Nitrate  of  Soda,  320        3,200  700 

+  150           "           "            320         3,200  700 

only 210        2,100 

+  200  lbs.  Nitrate  of  Soda,  385        3,850  1,350 

+  250           "           "             460        4,600  2,100 

only 290        2,900  

+  300  lbs.  Nitrate  of  Soda,  540        5,400  2,900 

+  350           "           "             550        5,500  3,000 


Food  for 
Plants 


113 


It  is  very  evident  from  a  study  of  this  table  that 
Nitrogen  was  essential  in  order  that  a  larger  crop  might 
be  secured,  for,  although  a  reasonably  liberal  dressing 
of  minerals  was  applied  upon  the  entire  area,  those  plots 
upon  which  no  Nitrogen  was  applied  showed  a  very 
much  lower  yield  than  on  any  of  the  other  plots,  though 
probably  quite  as  high  as  is  obtained  on  the  average 
from  what  is  regarded  in  that  section  as  fairly  good  hay 
land.  The  increase,  however,  was  very  marked  from 
the  addition  of  Nitrate,  and  is  practically  in  proportion 
to  the  amount  added  until  a  dressing  of  300  pounds  per 
acre  is  reached.  That  is,  it  is  shown  that  not  only  is 
Nitrogen  needed,  but  the  conditions  of  soil  and  of  season 
were  such  as  to  enable  the  plant  to  utilize  the  Nitrogen 
almost  completely  when  as  heavy  a  dressing  as  300 
pounds  per  acre  was  used,  increasing  the  total  tonnage 
from  134  to  nearly  2^^  per  acre. 

A  study  of  this  utilization  is  interesting.  Assuming 
the  average  composition  of  Nitrate  of  Soda  to  be  15.5 
per  cent.  Nitrogen,  and  taking  the  average  content  of 
protein  in  oat  and  pea  hay,  which  for  even  mixtures  of 
oats  and  peas  is  10.31  per  cent,  equivalent  to  1.65  per 
cent.  Nitrogen,  we  find  the  following  results: 


Plot                Applied  Increased  Yield.         Recovered  in  crop. 

1  15.5  lbs.  Nitrogen 700  lbs.  1 1 .  55  lbs. 

2  23.2          "                700     "  11.55 

4  31.0         "               1,350     "  22.28 

5  38.8         "                2,100     "  34.65 

7  46.5          "                2,900     "  47.85 

8_L54.5  _^  "               3,000     "  49.50 


^*pf  nt"^  Not  only  was  the  Nitrogen  utilized  well  on  prac- 

tically  all  of  the  plots,  but  at  the  prices  which  prevailed 

'H  for  hay  and  feed  during  the  season,  the  increased  yield 
from  the  larger  applications  proved  to  be  more  profitable 
than  those  of  the  lower.  In  other  words,  the  complete 
utilization  of  Nitrate  does  not  necessarily  mean  that 
there  shall  be  a  proportionate  profit  derived,  as  the 
profits  will  increase  in  a  greater  ratio,  when  the  same 
ratio  of  utilization  is  maintained  in  the  larger  applica- 
tion. This  is  very  clearly  shown  in  the  table  of  gross 
and  net  values  of  crops,  due  to  the  application  of 
Nitrate. 

Table  II. — Gross  and  Net  Values  of  Crops. 


1    1. 

Value  of 

Increase  in  Value 

Cost  of 

Net  Value  of 

lot 

Crop. 

of  Nitrated  Crop. 

Nitrate. 

Increased  Crop. 

1 

$22.40 

$4.90 

$2.60 

$2.30 

2 

22.40 

4.90 

3.90 

1.00 

3 

17.50 

.... 

4 

26.95 

9^45 

5^20 

4.25 

5 

32.00 

14.50 

6.50 

8.00 

6 

17.50 

7 

39.80 

22.30 

7!86 

14^56 

8 

40.50 

23.00 

9.10 

13.90 

Although  the  markets  do  not  recognize  oat  and  pea 
hay  in  their  classification,  and  thus  establish  a  market 
value,  nevertheless  its  feeding  value  is  recognized,  and 
its  use  upon  the  farm  must  have  a  direct  bearing  upon 
the  net  profits  that  may  be  derived  from  the  growing 
of  marketable  hay,  as  it  increases  the  quantity  that  may 
be  sold. 

At  the  prices  received  for  hay  the  past  season,  $14 
per  ton  for  well-cured  oat  and  pea  hay,  would  be  re- 
garded as  a  fair  price.  It  will  be  observed  that  on  this 
basis  the  gross  value  of  the  yields  on  the  different 
Nitrated  plots  range  from  $22.40  for  plots  1  and  2,  to 
about  $40  per  acre  for  plots  7  and  8,  an  increase  of  about 
80  per  cent.,  or  a  gain  in  value  of  increased  crop  ranging 
from  $4.90  to  $23  per  acre.  Deducting  the  cost  of  the 
Nitrate  of  Soda  applied,  the  net  increase  in  value  of 
crops  ranges  from  $1  on  plot  2  to  $14.50  on  plot  7,  or 
an  increase  in  net  value  of  crop  on  plot  7  of  more  than 


seven  times  as  much  as  the  average  of  plots  1  and  2.  ^J°^J°^ 

All  were  profitable,  although  the  limit  of  net  profit  was  

reached  with  an  application  of  300  pounds  per  acre.  '^s 
That  is,  it  seems  that  beyond  that  point  the  season  and 
climatic  conditions  rather  than  Nitrogen  became  the 
limiting  factors,  when  soils  were  supplied  with  enough 
phosphoric  acid  and  potash.  The  application  of  Nitrate 
of  Soda  was  profitable  in  all  cases,  though  varying  with 
the  amounts  applied. 

The  farmer  naturally  desires  to  secure  the  greatest 
net  profit.  On  land  of  this  sort,  therefore,  it  would  be 
necessary  for  him  to  apply  300  pounds  per  acre;  for  a 
large  field  this  dressing  would  seem  to  be  rather  expen- 
sive, taking  into  consideration  the  possible  risk  due  to 
unfavorable  seasons.  In  many  cases,  too,  the  produc- 
tive power  of  the  soil  may  be  greater  than  was  here 
found  to  be  the  case,  when  a  less  quantity  of  Nitrate  of 
Soda  would  meet  the  needs  of  a  maximum  crop. 

The  experiment  gives  suggestions  on  this  point, 
also.  Averaging  the  yields  obtained  from  the  use  of 
Nitrate,  it  is  found  that  the  application  of  100  pounds 
of  Nitrate  increased  the  yield  by  nearly  800  pounds. 
Taking  this  to  be  a  fair  guide,  as  to  what  may  be  ex- 
pected from  the  application  of  Nitrate,  the  amounts  to 
be  applied  would  be  in  proportion  to  the  difference 
between  what  the  farmer  estimates  to  be  his  average 
yield  and  the  possible  production  in  his  neighborhood. 
For  example,  assuming  that  the  average  yield  would  be 
3,000  pounds,  without  Nitrate,  and  the  maximum  yield 
5,000  pounds  with  Nitrate,  an  application  of  250  pounds 
per  acre  would  enable  him  to  reach  his  maximum  yield. 
If,  on  the  other  hand,  his  estimated  yield,  without 
Nitrate  is  2,000  pounds,  and  his  estimated  maximum  is 
3,000  pounds,  then  the  application  of  125  pounds  of 
Nitrate  of  Soda  per  acre  would  supply  all  the  needed 
Nitrogen  to  make  this  yield.  In  either  case,  the  Nitrate 
would  be  used  to  quite  as  good  advantage,  as  was  shown 
in  this  experiment,  and  the  results  profitable  in  both 
cases,  though,  as  in  the  experiment,  the  larger  yield 
would  give  the  largest  net  returns.  It  is  more  than 
likely  that  on  average  soils  an  application  ranging  from 
125  pounds  to  200  pounds  of  Nitrate  of  Soda  per  acre 


Food  for  would  be   apt  to   meet  the   maximum   requirements. 
Plants  jjgj^^^g^  jj^  practice  savings  may  be  effected  if  the  farmer 


"6  is  careful  to  study  his  range  of  yields  for  a  period  of 
years,  without  manure,  as  well  as  the  range  of  yields 
under  high  fertilization,  in  order  to  determine  the  most 
economical  amount  of  Nitrate  to  apply. 

The  main  results,  however,  lead  to  the  conclusion 
that  Nitrate  of  Soda  is  a  most  useful  form  of  Nitrogen 
for  oat  and  pea  forage,  and  that  it  pays  directly  even  on 
relatively  low-priced  crops  to  apply  as  high  as  300 
pounds  per  acre,  and  indirectly  in  permitting  of  the 
sale  of  a  larger  quantity  of  marketable  hay  at  high 
prices. 

Field  Experiments  with  Nitrate  of  Soda 
at  Highlands  Farms  1908. 

In  the  spring  of  1908,  other  experiments  were 
planned  and  carried  out  for  the  purpose  of  studying 
two  fundamental  questions: — ^First,  whether  it  would 
pay  to  use  Nitrate  of  Soda;  and  second,  whether  it 
would  pay  to  make  more  than  one  dressing.  It  was  also 
planned  that  the  applications  of  Nitrate  should  be  such 
as  to  encourage  the  practical  farmer  to  begin  its  use — 
that  is,  not  to  use  a  larger  dressing  than  he  would  be 
willing  to  purchase,  and  thus  make  the  work  educa- 
tional in  two  directions. 

Six  experiments  were  planned  with  the  following 
crops : — 

Oats  and  peas  Timothy  hay 

Oats  Field  corn 

Barley  White  potatoes 

and  in  each  experiment  six  plots,  one-tenth  of  an  acre 
in  area,  were  used;  these  plots  were  separated  by  strips 
five  (5)  feet  wide,  which  were  cultivated  and  kept  free 
from  weeds. 

In  all  cases,  except  for  potatoes,  the  following  min- 
eral fertihzer  was  applied  at  the  rate  of  300  lbs.  per 
acre,  spread  broadcast  and  well  harrowed  into  the  soil : — 

Ground  bone 100  lbs. 

Acid  phosphate 200 

Sulphate  of  potash 100     " 


and  for  potatoes  300  lbs.  per  acre  of  the  following  mix-  Ff^Jo'' 
ture  was  broadcasted:—  

Ground  bone 100  lbs. 

Acid  phosphate 350 

Sulphate  of  potash 250 

and  at  the  time  of  planting  400  lbs.  per  acre  was  well 
distributed  in  the  row.  The  amounts  of  Nitrate  and  the 
method  of  application  for  the  different  crops  were  as 
follows : 

Oats  and  Peas. 

Plot  Treatment  Minerals  +  lbs.  per  plot  Applied 

1  Nitrate  of  Soda  10  when  seeded. 

^  xv^"^^         .  C    ^       ^^"^^^f^^    «^^^y        One-half  at  time  of  seeding;    balance 

3  Nitrate  OI   Soda  10  3  weeks  later. 

i  Nitrate  of  Soda  15  when  seeded. 

^  XT- ^""^  .  C  1  ^^'""^'f'  «^^^y  One-half  at  time  of  seeding;  balance 
6  Nitrate  OI  Soda  15 3  weeks  later. 

Oats. 

1  Nitrate  of  Soda  10  when  seeded. 

2  Check  Minerals  only      ^     ,  „    _.        ,       ,.       .  , 

*  XT-         .  p  o      ^  in  One-half  at  time  of  seedmg;    balance 

3  Nitrate  01  Soda  10  3  weeks  later. 

4  Nitrate  of  Soda  15~  ^^^'"^  ''""^'"^■ 

5  Check  Minerals  only 

"  TVT-,,         poj  It  One-half  at  time  of  seedmg;    balance 

6  Nitrate  01  Soda 15 3  weeks  later. 

Barley. 

1  Nitrate  of  Soda  15  when  seeded. 

2  Check  Minerals  only      ^^„,,.        ,       ,.       ., 

^  -VT-.       ■  p  n      1  11-  One-half  at  time  of  seeding;    balance 

3  Nitrate  ot  Soda 15 3  weeks  later. 

4  Nitrate  of  Soda  20  ^^h^^^^^d^I 

5  Check  Minerals  only      ^    ^  „   ,   .       ,      ,.       ■  , 

„  -K.T.,       ,  1.  o      1  rtf\  One-half  at  time  of  seeding;    balance 

6  Nitrate  of  Soda 20 3  weeks  later. 

Timothy  Hay. 

1  Nitrate  of  Soda  15  ^'^^'^  ^^-^^^  '^  ^'^'^  ^*=''"*^^- 

2  Check  ^    ^.  „  •      „  .   . 

_  -VT-.       .  i>  r<      1  1  -  One-half  as  soon  as  grass  is  well  start- 

3  Nitrate  01  Soda  lO  ed;    balance  3  weeks  later. 

4  Nitrate  of  Soda  20  when  grass  is  well  started. 

5  Check  ^    ^  ,,  •      „  .   . 

r>         XT'.       L        e  c     1  nrk  One-half  as  soon  as  grass  13  well  start- 

0  Nitrate  01  boda  !sO  ed;   balance  3  weeks  later. 

Field  Corn. 

1  Nitrate  of  Soda  15  when  planted. 

2  Check  Minerals  only  ,^       ,        ,       ,    -  ,u 

o  XT'i      1.         £  o     J  It  10  lbs.   when  planted;    o  lbs.   at  first 

3  Nitrate  01  Soda  15  cultivation. 


Food  for  P'o*  Treatment  Minerals  +  lbs.  per  plot  Applied 

Plants  4  Nitrate  of  Soda  15  '■'  ^fc^^^°'''  ''  ^'"  '' 
5  Check                    Minerals  only 

T.e  ^  T-T-.,       ,         i>  ci      1  -If-  7.5  lbs.  at  time  of  planting;   7.5  lbs.  at 

6  Nitrate  oi  Soda  15  third  cultivation. 

White  Potatoes. 

1  Nitrate  of  Soda  20  a*  ^'™«  °f  planting. 

2  Check  Minerals  only 

3  Nitrate  of  Soda  20 


One-half  at  time  of  planting;    one-half 
broadcast  at  first  cultivation. 


4  Nitrate  of  Soda  25 

5  Check  Minerals  only 

6  Nitrate  of  Soda  25 


At  time  of  planting. 


One-half  at  time  of  planting;    balance 
at  first  cultivation. 


Corn. 


Corn  in  Ear — ^24  Bushels. 

Average  product  per  half  acre 
for  U.  S.  of  Corn  with  average 
farm  fertilization. 


Corn  in  Ear — 56  Bushels. 

The  product  of  half  an  acre  of 
corn  fertilized  with  Nitrate  of 
Soda,  home  mixed  with  Phos- 
phate and  Potash. 


The  land  in  all  cases  was  similar  to  that  already  de- 
scribed for  the  highlands,  namely,  naturally  good  soil, 
but  deficient  in  physical  character  or  in  humus. 

With  the  exception  of  timothy,  the  crops  were  all 
planted  at  such  times  in  the  spring  as  was  deemed  most 
satisfactory:  timothy  hay  being  seeded  in  the  previous 
year.     In  all  of  the  experiments,  the  germination  of  seed 


was  good,  and  conditions  were  favorable  for  a  brief  pJ^^J^"" 

period  only,  as  one  of  the  worst  drouths  in  many  years 

prevailed  throughout  the  entire  season.     In  fact,  but      "9 
little  rain  fell  from  the  first  of  May  until  after  the  ci'ops 
were  harvested,  or  practically  from  the  time  the  crops 
were  planted  until  they  were  harvested. 

Naturally,  the  results  of  the  experiments  were  ex- 
ceedingly variable,  and  thus  less  satisfactory  than  if  the 
seasonal  conditions  had  been  nearer  the  average.  The 
records  are  as  follows: 

Oats  for  Hay  Forage. 

Yield  per  Plot,  Yield  per  Acre,  Gain  in  Yield 

Plot.  Hay.  Hay.  from  Nitrate, 

lbs.  lbs.  lbs. 

1 320  3200  900 

2 230  2300 

3 310  3100  800 

4 280  2800  500 

5 230  2300 

6 410  4100  1800 

It  will  be  observed  that  the  yields  were  not  large. 
The  oats  were  cut  when  the  grain  was  in  the  dough 
state  and  straw  still  green,  or  in  the  most  suitable  state 
for  hay.  Under  average  seasonal  conditions,  the  yields 
should  have  been  at  least  50  per  cent,  higher.  Neverthe- 
less, the  value  of  Nitrate  is  very  clearly  shown  in  all  cases, 
and  reasonably  uniform,  except  in  the  case  of  plot  6. 

The  percentage  gain  on  the  different  plots  range 
from  21.5  per  cent,  on  plot  4,  to  78.3  per  cent,  on  plot  6. 
The  average  for  the  whole  being  43  per  cent,  increase, 
or  an  average  gain  per  acre  of  1,000  lbs.  of  dried  oat  hay. 

These  experiments  show  very  clearly,  therefore, 
that  even  in  seasons  of  excessive  drouths,  the  Nitrate 
contributes  very  materially  to  the  yield  of  crop  and  to 
profit.  Oat  hay,  while  not  ordinarily  a  marketable  crop, 
was  worth  on  the  farm  at  that  time,  in  comparison  with 
other  marketable  hays,  $18  per  ton,  hence  the  average 
increase  in  yield  would  be  worth  $9,  which,  less  the  cost 
of  Nitrate  applied,  would  leave  a  net  profit  of  $5. '^5  per 
acre;  only  on  plot  6  was  the  Nitrate  utilized  to  the  full- 
est advantage,  or  the  Nitrogen  usually  available  from 
Nitrate  of  Soda  secured  in  the  crop.    The  increased  crop 


Food  for  on  plot  6  would  be  worth,  on  the  same  basis  as  the  aver- 
^^^°*^  age,  $16.20,  or  a  net  profit  for  each  acre  of  $12.45,  which 
I20      corresponds  with  the  increase  which  should,  and  prob- 
ably would  have  been  obtained  in  an  average  season. 


2.     Timothy  Hay. 

As  was  the  case  with  oats,  the  season  was  such  as  to 
prevent  normal  development — there  was  only  one  light 
rain  after  the  first  application  of  Nitrate  was  made,  and 

Forage  Corn. 


300  lbs.  Acid  Phosphate. 
100  lbs.  Sulphate  of  Potash. 
150  lbs.  Nitrate  of  Soda. 
Yield,  20  tons  of  green  forage 
corn  per  acre. 


300  lbs.  Acid  Phosphate. 
100  lbs.  Sulphate  of  Potash. 
Yield,  93^^  tons  of  green  forage 
corn  per  acre. 


none  after  the  second  application.     The  records  are  as 
follows : — 


Yield  per  Plot. 

Yield  per  Acre. 

Gain  from 

lbs. 

lbs. 

Nitrate 

Plot. 

per  Acre, 
lbs. 

1.. 

780 

7800 

2575 

2.. 

575 

5750 

3.. 

745 

7450 

2225 

4.. 

770 

7700 

2475 

5.. 

470 

4700 

.... 

6.. 

680 

6800 

1575 

The  yields  were  good,  notwithstanding  the  season;  l^^^^l"""^ 

the  average  yield  on  the  unfertilized  plots  being  over  two 

and  one-half  tons  per  acre,  and  although  there  was  a  '^i 
large  variation  in  the  yields  of  the  two  check  plots,  it 
was  not  so  great  as  to  vitiate  the  results  obtained,  as  the 
differences  between  the  yields  of  the  two  check  plots  was 
not  as  great  as  the  difference  between  the  lowest  yield  on 
the  fertilized  plot  and  the  average  of  the  check  plots. 

The  increase  in  yield  ranged  from  1575  to  2575 
pounds,  or  an  average  for  all  of  the  plots  of  2212  pounds, 
or  over  one  ton  per  acre. 

No  special  influence  was  observed,  either  from  the 
larger  application  or  from  the  method  of  application— 
the  one  application,  made  at  the  time  the  plants  had 
well  started,  under  the  conditions  prevailing  this  year, 
gave  the  largest  yield.  This  was  to  be  expected,  owing 
to  the  fact  that  after  the  second  application  there  were 
no  rains  to  distribute  the  Nitrate.  Deducting  the  cost 
of  Nitrates,  the  net  profits  ranged  from  $4.45  to  $11.70, 
or  an  average  of  $8.70  per  acre.  The  hay  was  valued 
at  $12  per  ton,  as  stored  in  the  barn;  the  average  loss  in 
the  barn  was  18.5  per  cent.  Inasmuch  as  barn-cut  hay 
was  selling  at  $14  per  ton,  the  valuation  of  $12  was  fair 
for  this  season.  This  experiment,  while  not  as  illumi- 
ating  as  would  have  been  the  case  if  the  seasonal  con- 
ditions had  been  good,  still  verifies  the  conclusions 
arrived  at  from  the  results  obtained  in  previous  experi- 
ments, namely.  Nitrate  of  Soda  is  one  of  the  most  im- 
portant, useful  and  valuable  forms  of  Nitrogen  to  use, 
and  the  most  profitable  form  to  use  as  a  top-dressing  for 
grass  fields  in  the  spring. 

Oats  and  Peas  for  Forage. 

The  experiment  with  oats  and  peas  suffered  in 
common  with  the  others,  due  to  the  season,  although  ap- 
parently in  a  greater  degree,  as  the  hot  weather  affected 
the  growth  of  the  peas  to  a  greater  extent  than  it  did  the 
oats  alone.  Unfortunately,  through  an  error,  the  crop 
on  plot  1  was  harvested  before  the  others,  and  no  record 
was  made  of  it.  Discarding  this,  we  find  the  yields  to 
be  as  follows: — 


Food  for 

Gain  from  Nitrate 

Plants 

Plot. 

Yield  per  Plot. 

Yield  per  Acre. 

per  Acre. 

lbs. 

lbs. 

lbs. 

122 

1. 

2. 

250 

2500 

3. 

350 

3500 

iioo 

4. 

330 

3300 

900 

5. 

230 

2300 

.... 

6. 

290 

2900 

500 

The  yields  were  not  large,  and  were  quite  variable 
— ^tlie  average  on  the  check  plots  being  but  slightly  in 
excess  of  1  ton  per  acre.  The  increase  in  yield  from  the 
use  of  Nitrate  of  Soda  ranged  from  500  to  1,100  lbs.  per 
acre,  or  an  average  of  834  lbs.,  an  increase  of  about  60 
per  cent.  Hence,  notwithstanding  the  unfavorable 
seasonal  conditions,  a  profit  was  secured,  the  average 
net  profit  at  $12  for  hay  being  $1.85  per  acre,  or  for  each 
dollar  invested  there  was  a  return  of  nearly  $1.60. 

Corn,  Potatoes  and  Barley. 

The  crops  of  corn,  potatoes  and  barley,  on  the  other 
experiments,  although  they  grew  well  in  the  beginning, 
were  a  failure,  owing  to  the  continued  drouth.  There 
was  practically  no  moisture  in  the  soil  when  the  crops  on 
the  other  experiments  were  harvested,  at  which  time  the 
corn  and  potatoes  were  in  the  greatest  need  of  moisture 
— the  corn  to  enable  it  to  develop  and  form  ears  and  the 
potatoes  to  set  tubers  and  to  provide  for  their  growth. 


Fertilizing  Hay  Crops  in 
California. 

In  the  West  Coast  States  wheat  is  sown  for  hay, 
and  cut  green;  likewise  oats. 

The  experiments  with  fertilizers  on  oats-hay  crops 
by  the  California  Experiment  Station,  begun  in  1901, 
were  continued  during  the  season  of  1902-3.  During  the 
season  of  1901-2  it  was  found  that  the  use  of  Thomas 
phosphate  slag  and  sulphate  of  potash  with  Nitrate  of 


Soda  did  not  pay  as  well  as  Nitrate  of  Soda  used  alone.  ^^^^J^^ 

The  experiments  during  the  last  season  were  planned  to  

test  the  availability  of  the  phosphate  after  the  first  ^^3 
season.  It  was  thought  that  there  was  a  possibility  that 
the  insoluble  slag  phosphate  would  become  more  avail- 
able the  second  season  after  applying  it.  The  plots  first 
used  in  the  experiments  were  subdivided  and  given 
different  applications  of  Nitrate  of  Soda,  used  alone  and 
in  combination  with  sulphate  of  potash  at  the  rate  of 
300  pounds  per  acre. 

The  yield  of  hay  was  lower  on  both  fertilized  and 
unfertilized  plots  during  the  second  season  than  it  was  in 
the  first.  This  difference  is  undoubtedly  due  to  an  un- 
favorable season.  The  late  spring  rainfall  failed  almost 
entirely,  and  to  this,  no  doubt,  must  be  attributed 
the  decreased  yield. 

An  inspection  of  the  summary  of  results  shows  that 
the  heaviest  yields  of  hay  on  both  red  and  granite  soils 
and  the  largest  money  returns  per  acre  were  obtained 
from  the  plots  which  were  fertilized  with  phosphate 
during  1901-2.  On  red  soil  with  oats-hay  the  gain  from 
the  use  of  Nitrate  of  Soda  on  the  plot  which  had  phos- 
phate the  year  previous  was  $11.70  per  acre,  as  against 
only  $3.72  per  acre  where  the  Nitrate  was  used  on  land 
having  no  previous  fertilization. 

On  granite  soil  with  oats-hay  there  was  no  gain 
from  the  phosphate.  The  use  of  Nitrate  of  Soda  alone 
without  previous  fertilization  yielded  $9.44  per  acre 
profit,  while  on  the  plots  having  phosphate  applied  the 
previous  year,  the  gain  was  only  $5.74  per  acre. 

In  1903  the  heaviest  yield  of  hay  was  obtained  from 
oats,  and  the  largest  profit  per  acre  from  wheat  on 
granite  soil  which  had  an  application  of  Thomas  slag, 
sulphate  of  potash,  and  lime,  in  1902.  Nitrate  of  Soda 
was  used  at  the  rate  of  320  pounds  per  acre  in  1903.  The 
yield  of  hay  was  5,772  pounds  per  acre,  and  the  resulting 
profit  $12.89  per  acre.  It  should  be  remarked  here, 
however,  that  this  plot  was  fertilized  at  a  loss  of  $21.50 
per  acre  in  1902;  and  as  the  application  of  Nitrate  was 
larger  than  was  used  on  any  other  plot,  the  increased 
returns  were  at  least  partly  due  to  the  increased  supply 
of  the  Nitrate. 


Food  for  The  use  of  sulphate  of  potash  in  combination  with 

,   ^^^^^  Nitrate  of  Soda,  on  granite  soil,  did  not  pay  in  1903. 

124      Potash  was  used  at  the  rate  of  300  pounds  per  acre.    In 

most  ca«ps  the  fertilizer  cost  more  than  the  increased 

crop  of  hay;  hence  its  use  incurred  a  loss  of  from  76 

cents  to  $4.57  per  acre. 

The  experiments  with  Nitrate  of  Soda  used  alone 
were  broadened  in  1903  to  test  the  efficacy  of  different 
amounts  per  acre  and  the  division  of  the  application  into 
two  doses.  The  results  show  that  in  1903,  160  pounds  of 
Nitrate  of  Soda  per  acre  in  one  application  yielded  the 
largest  profits  viz.:  $9.44  and  $8.90  per  acre,  respec- 
tively, on  two  plots  on  granite  soil.  In  all  cases  the 
yield  was  reduced  when  the  fertilizer  was  put  on  in  two 
applications;  thus,  with  160  pounds  per  acre  applied  in 
two  doses,  only  $4.82  and  $7.27  per  acre  were  yielded 
by  two  plots  on  granite  soil. 


WHAT   PERCENTAGE   OF  WATER   DOES 
HAY  LOSE  DURING  STORAGE? 


Result  of  Rhode  Island  Official  Experiment. 

Hay  which  had  been  stored  during  the  summer  of 
1901,  was  removed  from  the  mow  the  following  Febru- 
ary, and  found  to  contain  12.21  per  cent,  of  water.  A 
careful  comparison  of  other  moisture  determinations 
of  hay  leads  to  the  conclusion  that  12.21  is  a  fair  general 
average  of  the  percentage  of  water  in  the  best  quality 
of  barn-cured  hay.  When  hay  is  first  stored  it  usually 
contains  from  20  to  28  per  cent,  of  moisture.  The  loss 
in  storage  may  be  said  to  be  about  twelve  to  sixteen  per 
cent. 

GRADES  OF  HAY  AND  STRAW. 


Adopted  by  the  National  Hay  Association. 

HAY. 
No.  1  Timothy  Hay:    Shall  be  timothy  with  not 
more  than  one-eighth  {%)  mixed  with  clover  or  other 


tame  grasses  properly  cured,  good  color,  sound  and  well  ^J^^J^"" 
baled.  

Standard  Timothy:    Shall  be  timothy   with  not      '^s 
more  than  one-eighth  (Ys)  mixed  with  clover  or  other 
tame  grasses,  fair  color,  containing  brown  blades,  and 
brown  heads,  sound  and  well  baled. 

No.  2  Timothy  Hay:  Shall  be  timothy  not  good 
enough  for  No.  1  not  over  one-fourth  {%)  mixed  with 
clover  or  other  tame  grasses,  fair  color,  sound  and  well 
baled. 

No.  3  Timothy  Hay:  Shall  include  all  hay  not  good 
enough  for  other  grades,  sound  and  well  baled. 

Light  Clover  Mixed  Hay :  Shall  be  timothy  mixed 
with  clover.  The  clover  mixture  not  over  one-third 
(i^)  properly  cured,  sound,  good  color  and  well  baled. 

No.  1  Clover  Mixed  Hay:  Shall  be  timothy  and 
clover  mixed,  with  at  least  one-half  {}/^)  timothy,  good 
color,  sound  and  well  baled. 

Heavy  Clover  Mixed  Hay:  Shall  be  timothy  and 
clover  mixed  with  at  least  one-fourth  (3^)  timothy, 
sound  and  well  baled. 

No.  2  Clover  Mixed  Hay:  Shall  be  timothy  and 
clover  mixed  with  at  least  one-third  {}4)  timothy.  Rea- 
sonably sound  and  well  baled. 

No.  1  Clover  Hay:  Shall  be  medium  clover  not 
over  one-twentieth  (oV)  other  grasses,  properly  cured, 
sound  and  well  baled. 

No.  2  Clover  Hay:  Shall  be  clover  sound,  well 
baled,  not  good  enough  for  No.  1. 

Sample  Hay:  Shall  include  all  hay  badly  cured, 
stained,  threshed  or  in  any  way  unsound. 

Choice  Prairie  Hay:  Shall  be  upland  hay  of  bright, 
natural  color,  well  cured,  sweet,  sound,  and  may  con- 
tain 3  per  cent,  weeds. 

No.  1  Prairie  Hay:  Shall  be  upland  and  may  con- 
tain one-quarter  (3^)  midland,  both  of  good  color, 
well  cured,  sweet,  sound,  and  may  contain  8  per  cent, 
weeds. 

No.  2  Prairie  Hay:  Shall  be  upland,  of  fair  color 
and  may  contain  one-half  midland,  both  of  good  color, 
well  cured,  sweet,  sound,  and  may  contain  12>^  per 
cent,  weeds. 


Food  for  No.  3  Prairie  Hay:    Shall  include  hay  not  good 

enough  for  other  grades  and  not  caked. 

126  No.  1  Midland  Hay:  Shall  be  midland  hay  of  good 

color,  well  cured,  sweet,  sound,  and  may  contain  3  per 
cent,  weeds. 

No.  2  Midland  Hay:   Shall  be  fair  color  or  slough 
hay  of  good  color,  and  may  contain  123/2  per  cent,  weeds. 
Packing  Hay :   Shall  include  all  wild  hay  not  good 
enough  for  other  grades  and  not  caked. 

Sample  Prairie  Hay :  Shall  include  all  hay  not  good 
enough  for  other  grades. 

STRAW. 

No.  1  Straight  Rye  Straw:  Shall  be  in  large  bales, 
clean,  bright,  long  rye  straw,  pressed  in  bundles,  sound 
and  well  baled. 

No.  2  Straight  Rye  Straw:  Shall  be  in  large  bales, 
long  rye  straw  pressed  in  bundles,  sound  and  well  baled, 
not  good  enough  for  No.  1. 

No.  1  Tangled  Rye  Straw:  Shall  be  reasonably 
clean  rye  straw,  good  color,  sound  and  well  baled. 

No.  2  Tangled  Rye  Straw:  Shall  be  reasonably 
clean,  may  be  some  stained,  but  not  good  enough  for 
No.  1. 

No.  1  Wheat  Straw:  Shall  be  reasonably  clean 
wheat  straw,  sound  and  well  baled. 

No.  2  Wheat  Straw:  Shall  be  reasonably  clean; 
may  be  some  stained,  but  not  good  enough  for  No.  1. 

No.  1  Oat  Straw:  Shall  be  reasonably  clean  oat 
straw,  sound  and  well  baled. 

No.  %  Oat  Straw:  Shall  be  reasonably  clean;  may 
be  some  stained,  but  not  good  enough  for  No.  1. 

ALFALFA. 

Choice  Alfalfa:  Shall  be  reasonably  fine  leafy 
alfalfa  of  bright  green  color,  properly  cured,  sound, 
sweet,  and  well  baled. 

No.  1  Alfalfa:  Shall  be  reasonably  coarse  alfalfa 
of  a  bright  green  color,  or  reasonably  fine  leafy  alfalfa 
of  a  good  color  and  may  contain  two  per  cent,  of  foreign 
grasses,  5  per  cent,  of  air  bleached  hay  on  outside  of 
bale  allowed,  but  must  be  sound  and  well  baled. 


Standard  Alfalfa :  May  be  of  green  color,  of  coarse  pf^^J^'^ 

or  medium  texture,  and  may  contain  5  per  cent,  foreign  

matter.       Or  it  may  be  of  green  color,  of  coarse  or      '^7 
medium  texture,  20  per  cent,  bleached  and  2  per  cent, 
foreign  matter.     Or  it  may  be  of  a  greenish  cast  of  fine 
stem  and  clinging  foliage,  and  may  contain  5  per  cent, 
foreign  matter.    All  to  be  sound,  sweet,  and  well  baled. 

No.  2  Alfalfa:  Shall  be  of  any  sound,  sweet  and  well 
baled  alfalfa,  not  good  enough  for  standard,  and  may 
contain  10  per  cent,  foreign  matter. 

No.  3  Alfalfa:  May  contain  35  per  cent,  stack 
spotted  hay,  but  must  be  dry  and  not  to  contain  more 
than  8  per  cent,  of  foreign  matter.  Or  it  may  be  of  a 
green  color  and  may  contain  50  per  cent,  foreign  mat- 
ter. Or  it  may  be  set  Alfalfa  and  may  contain  5  per 
cent,  foreign  matter.     All  to  be  reasonably  well  baled. 

No  grade  Alfalfa :  Shall  include  all  alfalfa  not  good 
enough  for  No.  3. 


The  Alfalfa,  Cow  Pea  and   Clover  Question. 

Use  of 
Legumes. 


This  class  of  plants  has  the  proper- 
ty  of  taking  inert  Nitrogen  from  the  air  j  f ^,^, 

and  transforming  it  into  combinations 
more  or  less  useful  as  plant  food.  This  feature  is  of 
great  value  to  agriculture,  but  not  so  much  from  the 
plant  food  point  of  view  as  from  the  fact  that  these 
plants  are  rich  in  that  kind  of  food  substance  commonly 
called  "flesh  formers."  Liberally  fertilized,  and  not 
omitting  Nitrate  in  the  fertilizer,  we  have  a  crop  con- 
taining more  Nitrogenous  food  (protein  or  flesh  form- 
ers) than  the  Nitrogen  actually  given  as  fertilizer 
could  have  made  by  itself.  The  most  common  plants  of 
this  class  are:  alfalfa,  alsike  clover,  crimson  clover,  red 
clover,  Japan  clover,  cow  peas,  lupines,  Canadian  field 
peas,  the  vetches,  etc.  All  these  forage  crops  should 
be  sown  after  clean  culture  crops.  The  best  method 
of  fertilizing  is  to  apply  from  300  to  500  pounds  of 
fertilizer  early  every  autumn;  in  the  spring,  top-dress 
with  200  pounds  of  Nitrate  of  Soda,  and  repeat  with 
about  100  pounds  after  each  cutting.  It  is  true  that 
clovers  may  supply  their  own  nitrogenous  plant  food, 


^°Pilnts  ^^^   ^^^^   ^^    ^^   experiment   experienced   farmers    do 

not  often  repeat.     A  fair  green  crop   of  clover,    for 

'28  example,  removes  from  the  soil  some  160  pounds  of 
Nitrogen,  while  in  500  pounds  of  Nitrate  of  Soda 
there  are  less  than  100  pounds.  Undoubtedly,  the 
Nitrogen  taken  from  the  air  is  a  great  aid,  but  we  should 
not  expect  too  much  of  it.  The  method  of  seeding 
clovers  depends  much  upon  locality  and  soil  needs  with 
reference  to  previous  crops.  Crimson  clover  and 
Canadian  field  peas  are  usually  sown  in  August,  after 
earlier  crops  have  been  removed,  or  even  in  corn  fields. 
Red  clover  is  commonly  sown  in  the  spring  on  wheat  or 
with  oats. 

Wheat. 

The  soil  for  this  grain,  fall  planting,  ranges  from  a 
clay  loam  to  a  moderate  sandy  loam.  For  spring  wheat, 
moist  peaty  soils  are  used.  Wheat  is  usually  grown  in 
rotation,  in  which  case  it  nearly  always  follows  corn,  or 
a  clean  culture  crop.  The  nature  of  cultivation  is  too 
well  known  to  require  mention  here.  Both  spring  and 
winter  wheat  are  commonly  fertilized  crops,  particularly 
the  latter.  The  average  fertilizer  for  wheat  should  con- 
tain Nitrogen,  phosphoric  acid  and  potash.  This 
fertilizer  is  applied  with  the  seed,  and  at  the  rate  of  500 
pounds  to  the  acre.  Nitrate  of  Soda  is  also  applied 
broadcast  as  a  top-dressing,  soon  after  the  crop  shows 
growth  in  the  spring,  at  the  rate  of  100  pounds  per  acre. 
Like  all  grains,  wheat  should  have  its  Nitrate  plant  food 
early,  and  in  the  highly  available,  easily  digested  Ni- 
trated form,  such  as  is  only  to  be  found  commercially 
as  Nitrate  of  Soda. 

The  plant  food  needs  of  a  crop  of  30  bushels  of 
wheat  per  acre  amounts  to  about  70  pounds  of  Nitrogen, 
24  pounds  of  phosphoric  acid,  and  30  pounds  of  potash ; 
this  includes  the  straw,  chaff  and  stubble.  One  hundred 
pounds  of  Nitrate  of  Soda  supplies  about  16  pounds  of 
Nitrogen,  so  that  the  quantity  mentioned  for  top- 
dressing  is  a  minimum  quantity.  Much  has  been  said 
of  legume  Nitrogen  for  wheat,  the  crop  being  generally 
grown  in  rotation.  Whatever  Nitrogen  the  clover  may 
have  gathered,  a  crop  of  timothy  and  a  crop  of  corn  must 


be  supplied  before  the  wheat  rotation  is  reached.     In  ^?°<^^<^'' 

many  cases,  simply  top-dressing  with  the  Nitrate  will  be  

found  effectual.     In  all  cases  where  the  acre  yields  have       '-9 
fallen  off,  a  top-dressing  of  Nitrate  of  Soda  should  be 
apphed. 

Professor  Maercker  states  that  Nitrate  of  Soda  for 
wheat  is  absolutely  necessary  under  the  conditions  in 
Germany,  and  that  100  pounds  of  Nitrate  of  Soda  pro- 
Wheat. 


Wheat— 14  Bushels. 

Average  product  per  acre  for 
the  U.  S.  of  wheat  with  aver- 
age farm  fertilization — 1910. 


Wheat— 37  Bushels. 

The  product  of  an  acre  of 
wheat  fertilized  with  Nitrate  of 
Soda,  home  mixed  with  phos- 
phates and  potash — 1910. 


duces  300  to  400  pounds  of  grain  and  a  corresponding 
amount  of  straw. 

Drill  in  with  the  wheat  in  the  fall  a 
mixture  of  250  pounds  of  acid  phosphate 
and  50  pounds  Nitrate  of  Soda  per  acre. 
If  your  land  is  sandy,  add  50  pounds  of 
sulphate  of  potash  to  the  above.  Early  in  the  spring, 
sow  broadcast  100  pounds  Nitrate  of  Soda  per  acre. 

Land  sown  to  wheat  in  the  fall  and  seeded  down 


How  to  Apply 
Nitrate  of  Soda 
to  Wheat. 


Food  for  with  timothy  and  clover  giving  a  heavy  crop,  followed 
Plants  i^y  ^  heavy  hay  crop  the  following  year,  proved  the 
130      beneficial  after-effect  of  the  Nitrate  and  that  the  Nitrate 

Fertilizer  Experiment  with  Wheat. 


Phosphoric  Acid  Phosphoric  Acid       Phosphoric  Acid  and 

and  Potash  with  1  oz.  and  Potash  with  I  oz.       Potash  without 
Nitrate  of  Soda.  Nitrate  of  Soda.  Nitrate  of  Soda. 

Yield:  SI  oz.  Grain.  Yield:  1|  oz.  Grain.      Yield:  |  oz.  Gram. 

had  not  leached  away  as  so  many  critics  claim,  and 
further  that  the  soil  had  not  been  exhausted. 

Professor  Massey  writes  in  regard  to  the  effect  of 
Nitrate  of  Soda  on  Wheat,  as  follows : 


I  have  made  several  experiments  with  Nitrate  of  Soda.     The   Food  for 

first  was  on  wheat  in  Albemark^  ("onnty,  Virginia.     I    used    200   Plants 

pounds  per  acre  on  part  of  the  fiekl  wliich  liad  l)een  fertilized  with 
400  pounds  acid  phosi)hate  in  the  fall.  The  result  was  J)  bushels 
per  acre  more  than  on  the  rest  of  the  field,  and  a  stand  of  clover, 
while  none  of  any  account  stood  on  the  rest  of  the  field. 

From  100  to  150  pounds  of  Nitrate 

of  Soda  per  acre  should  be  broadcasted  Wheat  Experi- 

1      \  .,    -  .1  ments  m 

on  wheat,  as  soon  as  the  new  growth  England. 

shows   in   the   spring.     The   results   of 

such   treatment   are  shown  by   experiments   made  by 

three  English  gentlemen,  which  are  tabulated  as  follows, 

mineral  plant  food  being  present  in  abundance : 

I.  No  Nitrate,  23  bu.     300  lbs.  Nitrate,  33.5  bu.        Gain  46  p.  ct. 
II.  "  15    "       300  "  "         28.0    "  "     87    " 

III.  "  34    "       300  "  "         49.0    "  "     44     " 

Average      59 

Another  illustration  is  an  experi- 
ment made  by  the  late  Dr.  Voelcker;     ^elrCom^ared 
67!^  pounds  of  cotton-seed    meal  were    with  Nitrate^^^ 
used  in  comparison  with  '£75  pounds  of 
Nitrate  of  Soda,  with  the  result  that  the  latter  gave  a 
return  of  40.75  bushels  per  acre,  a  gain  over  the  cotton- 
seed meal  of  nearly  1^4  per  cent.,  the  above  enormous 
application  of  cotton-seed  meal  yielding  but  37.7  l)ushels 
per  acre. 

Forty   Bushels  of   Wheat  to  the  Acre  a  Possible 

Average  on  Many  Ohio  Farms. 

Bulletin  282,  Ohio  Experiment  Station. 

For  twenty  years  the  Ohio  Experiment  Station  has 
grown  potatoes,  wheat  and  clover  in  a  three-year  rota- 
tion on  one  of  its  farms  in  Wayne  county,  a  farm  no 
better  in  natural  fertility  than  thousands  of  others 
which  may  be  foimd  in  this  region  of  the  State. 

The  land  under  experiment  is  divided  into  three 
sections  and  each  crop  is  grown  every  season.  P^ach 
section  is  sub-divided  into  plots  of  one-tenth  acre  each, 
every  third  plot  being  left  continuously  without  fertilizer 


Food  for  or  manure,  while  the  intervening  plots  have  received 
^"^  different  combinations  of  fertilizing  materials,  the 
132  fertilizers  being  divided  between  the  potato  and  wheat 
crops. 

The  average  yield  of  wheat  in  this  test  for  the  last 
ten  years  has  been  twenty -five  bushels  per  acre  on  the 
unfertilized  land.  The  apphcation  of  160  pounds  of 
acid  phosphate  per  acre  to  wheat,  following  a  like  appli- 
cation to  potatoes,  has  increased  the  wheat  yield  by 
five  bushels.  When  to  this  application,  100  pounds  of 
muriate  of  potash  was  added  for  each  crop,  the  yield 
of  wheat  was  increased  by  seven  bushels,  while  the 
use  of  a  complete  fertilizer,  made  up  of  160  pounds  of 
acid  phosphate,  100  pounds  of  muriate  of  potash  and 
the  equivalent  of  160  pounds  of  Nitrate  of  Soda  for  each 
crop,  has  increased  the  total  yield  of  wheat  to  more 
than  forty  bushels  per  acre  for  the  ten-year  average. 

The  increase  in  the  potato  crop  in  each  of  these 
cases  has  more  than  paid  for  the  fertilizer,  leaving  the 
increase  in  wheat  as  net  gain,  a  gain  which  has  been 
further  augmented  by  a  considerable  increase  in  the 
yield  of  clover. 

Not  only  has  the  yield  been  maintained  at  a  high 
point,  but  it  seems  to  be  steadily  increasing;  the  average 
yield  for  the  three  plots  which  receive  the  combination 
given,  and  which  are  located  in  different  parts  of  the 
field,  being  38}^  bushels  per  acre  for  the  first  half  of 
the  ten-year  period,  and  423/^  bushels  per  acre  for  the 
second  half. 

It  has  therefore  been  possible  to  produce  forty 
bushels  of  wheat  per  acre  in  Ohio  as  a  ten-year  average, 
and  to  accompHsh  this  result  by  a  method  which  has 
much  more  than  paid  the  cost. 

It  is  the  general  observation  of  farmers,  that  wheat 
does  exceptionally  well  when  it  follows  potatoes,  and 
this  fact  in  part  accounts  for  the  large  yields  obtained 
in  this  experiment.  The  fact  that  the  land  was  in  good 
condition  to  start  with — part  of  it  having  been  cleared 
from  the  forest  for  purposes  of  this  test,  must  also  be 
borne  in  mind.  But  on  another  of  the  Station's  Wayne 
Qounty  farms,  one  which  had  been  reduced  to  a  very 
low  state  of  fertility  by  long  continued  and  exhaustive 


cropping,  an  average  yield  of  283^  bushels  of  wheat  per  ^J°^J°' 

acre  has  been  maintained  for  the  same  period  in  a  rota- 

tion  of  corn,  oats,  wheat,  clover  and  timothy.  133 

In  this  test  the  unfertihzed  yield  has  been  93^ 
bushels  of  wheat  per  acre.    This  yield  has  been  increased 


Fertilizer  Experiments  with  Oats  on  Clay  Soil. 


Full  Nitrate  of           Without  Without  Yield:  1  oz.  grain 

Soda            Phosphoric  Acid.  Potash.  Without 

'    Fertilizing.           Yield:  foz.  Yield:  2  oz.  Nitrate  of  Soda. 

Yield:  3  oz.  grain.          grain.  grain. 


to  283/2  bushels  by  a  fertilizer  of  the  same  composition 
as  that  above  mentioned,  namely:  160  pounds  acid 
phosphate,  100  pounds  of  muriate  of  potash  and  the 
equivalent  of  160  pounds  of  Nitrate  of  Soda  per  acre. 
In  this  case,  as  in  the  potato  rotation,  the  increase 
in  the  other  crops  of  the  rotation  has  more  than  paid 


Food  for  all  the  cost  of  the  fertilizers,  leaviiio;  the  increase  of 

Plants       1        .  1  • 

wheat  as  clear  gam. 

134  In  this  case  also  the  rate  of  gain  is  increasing,  the 

average  yield  for  the  first  five  years  of  the  period  being 
25  bushels  per  acre,  as  against  32  bushels  for  the  last  five 
years,  and  there  seems  to  be  no  good  reason  to  doubt 
that  after  the  wasted  fertility  of  this  land  has  been  re- 
stored it  will  be  possible  to  still  further  increase  the 

Rye. 


Rye— 18  Bushels. 

Average  product  per  acre  for 
the  U.  S.  of  rye  with  average 
farm  fertihzation. 


Rye— 3G  Bushels. 

The  product  of  an  acre  of 
rye  fertihzed  with  Nitrate  of 
Soda,  home  mixed  with  phos- 
phates and  potash. 


yield  to  a  point  equaling  that  in  the  experiment  first 
mentioned. 


Wheat  and  Oats,  Rye  and  Barley. 
(Bulletin  44,  Gsorgia  Agricultural  Expsrim^nt  Station.) 

This  bulletin  gives  in  detail  the  results  of  experi- 
ments on  wheat  with  fertilizers,  in  which  Nitrate  of 


Soda  is  compared  with  cotton-seed  meal;  in  all  cases  the  pf^^J"*" 

plots  were  liberally  supplied  with  phosphoric  acid  and 

potash.     The  average  yield  of  four  plots  in  each  instance      'i5 
amounted  per  acre  to  49.4  bushels  for 
Nitrate  of  Soda,  and  40.1  bushels  for    Cotton  sTed 
cotton-seed  meal,  a  gain  for  Nitrate  of    j^^^^  Com- 
Soda  of  over  23  per  cent.     A  similar    pared  on  Wheat, 
experiment  with  oats  gave  a  return  of 
(50  bushels  for  Nitrate  of  Soda  and  only  42  bushels  for 
cotton-seed  meal,  a  gain  for  Nil  rate  over  cotton-seed 
meal  of  nearly  43  per  cent.     The  Bulletin  recommends, 
even  ^^]len  cotton-seed  meal  is  used  in  the  complete 
fertilizer,  to  employ  Nitrate  of  Soda  as  a  top-dressing 
in  the  spring. 

Three  hundred  pounds  per  acre  more  Wheat,  Oats, 
Rye  or  Barley  may  be  raised  by  the  use  of  100  pounds  of 
Nitrate  of  Soda  used  as  a  top-dressing  on  ilie  soil. 
Frequent  trials  at  Agricultural  Experiment  Stations  the 
world  over  fully  prove  this  to  be  so. 


MARYLAND 
AGRICULTURAL  EXPERIMENT  STATION. 

Bulletin  No.  gi. 
Page  44.  Table  7. 

Nitrate  of  Soda  vs.  No  Nitrate  of  Soda  Applied  on 
Wheat;   Wheat  Unfertilized  in  Fall. 

Plot  No.  Yield  of  (irain  pc-r  Acre,  Bushels. 

1.  Neither  fertilizer  nor  Nitrate  of  Soda 10.4 

2.  Nitrate  of  Soda,  with  no  Other  Fertilizer. .  .      18.1* 

Comparison  of   Nitrate    of  Soda  and    Sulphate  of 
Ammonia  Both  With  and  Without  Lime. 

As  has  already  been  explained.  Nitrate  of  Soda 
and  Sulphate  of  Ammonia  represent  the  mineral  sources 
of  Nitrogen   commonly   found   on   the   market.      The 


Gain  of  7.8  bushels,  or  75  per  cent. 


Food  for  Nitrate  of  Soda  is  readily  soluble  in  water  and  is  directly 

available  to  plants;  while  the  Sulphate  of  Ammonia, 

136  though  quite  soluble,  has  to  be  changed  into  Nitrate  be- 
fore it  can  be  used  by  crops.  Hence  the  action  of  these 
two  materials  is  not  the  same  on  different  soils  and  un- 
der varying  weather  conditions.  The  sulphate  has  been 
preferred  by  some  because  it  would  act  slower;  yet  if 
conditions  for  nitration  were  unfavorable,  it  might  not 
be  available  to  the  crop  when  needed.  Again,  under 
some  circumstances.  Sulphate  of  Ammonia  has  been 
found  to  be  actually  harmful*  to  plants. 


SOUTH  CAROLINA  AGRICULTURAL 
EXPERIMENT  STATION. 


From  Bulletin  No.  56,  p.  5. 


Wheat. 


/.     Comparison  of  Varieties.  IV.     Home  Manures. 

II.     Quantity  of  Seed  per  Acre.  V.     Commercial  Fertilizers. 

III.     Experiment  with  Nitrogen.         VI.     Tillage. 

If  wheat  is  sown  upon  land  deficient 
Fer  1  izers.  -^^  organic  matter,  it  is  wise  to  use  a 

complete  fertilizer,  containing  Nitrogen,  phosphoric  acid 
and  potash. 

If  wheat  shows  an  unhealthy  appearance  in  early 
spring,  especially  upon  sandy  lands,  an  application  of 
seventy -five  pounds  of  Nitrate  of  Soda  will  prove  bene- 
ficial provided  there  is  enough  phosphoric  acid  in  the 
soil  to  co-operate  with  it  and  make  the  grain. 

Experiment  with  Nitrogen. 

To  compare  effects  of  Nitrogen  from 
Object.  cotton-seed  meal  and  Nitrate  of  Soda 

and  the  latter  applied  with  the  seed  and  as  a  top- 
dressing. 

The  intention  was  to  use  on  each  plot  a  constant 
quantity  of  phosphoric  acid  and  potash  as  the  equiv- 

*  On  account  of  its  leaving  a  strong  mineral  acid  residue  in  the  soil,  after 
its  Nitrogen  has  been  nitrated  bj'  the  soil. 


alent  of  these  ingredients,  in  200  pounds  of  cotton-seed  l^^^^l""' 
meal.  


137 


The  first  plot  received  cotton-seed  meal  alone 

—yield 17.5  bus. 

The  second,  phosphoric  acid  and  potash  and 
Nitrate  of  Soda  all  appHed  with  the  seed 
—yield ;  .  .  •  ; 20.8  bus. 

The  third  received  only  phosphoric  acid  and 

potash— yield •    1^.6  bus. 

The  fourth  received  in  addition  to  phosphoric 
acid  and  potash  applied  with  the  seed, 
Nitrate  of  Soda  as  a  top-dressing— yield .  .    19.4  bus. 

Barley. 

This  crop  does  best  on  a  strong  clay  loam,  but  the 
soil  must  not  be  rich  in  organic  matter.  Soils  naturally 
rich  in  ammoniates  are  unfavorable,  as  one  of  the  most 
important  points  in  high-grade  barley  is  a  complete 
maturity  of  the  grain.  With  soils  rich  in  vegetable 
matter,  the  supply  of  the  only  digestible  Nitrogen  or 
what  is  exactly  the  same  thing.  Nitrates,  continues  so 
late  in  the  season  that  maturity  is  retarded  seriously. 
About  400  pounds  per  acre  of  fertilizer  should  be  apphed 
broadcast  before  seeding.  As  soon  as  the  grain  is  "up," 
top-dress  with  150  pounds  of  Nitrate  of  Soda  per  acre. 
If  the  soil  is  very  rich,  apply  only  100  pounds  of  Nitrate. 

We  would  recommend  drilhng  in  with  the  Barley  or 
Oats  a  mixture  of  250  pounds  acid  phos-        Barley 
phate  and  100  pounds  Nitrate  of  Soda        ^^^  J^^g 
per  acre,  and  if  the  land  is  very  sandy 
add  100  pounds  sulphate  of  potash  to  the  mixture. 

In  an  experiment  at  Woburn,  made  for  the  Royal 
Agricultural  Society  of  England,  by  the  late  Dr. 
Voelcker,  the  following  results  were  obtained: 

Mineral  manures  and  sulphate  ammonia. .  36 .  75  bushels  per  acre. 
Nitrate  275  lbs.  and  minerals 42.50  bushels  per  acre. 

Gain  for  Nitrate,  16  per  cent. 

The  ammonia  salt  and  the  Nitrate  used  contained 
the  same  amount  of  nitrogen  plant  food.  Compared 
with  cotton-seed  meal,  124  pounds  of  Nitrate  of  Soda 


Food  for  gave  49.5  bushels  barley  per  acre  as  compared  to  37 
^^^°^^  bushels  from  1,000  pounds  cotton-seed  meal  applied 
138       the  previous  year.     Gain  for  Nitrate  33.7  per  acre. 

Oats. 

This  grain  does  well  on  nearly  all  types  of  soil,  but 
responds  freely  to  good  treatment.  There  is  a  vast 
difference  in  the  quality  of  oats  when  grown  on  poor  or 
rich  soils.  Perhaps  no  other  crop  so  effectually  conceals 
impoverishment;  at  the  same  time  the  feeding  value  of 
oats  grown  on  poor  soil  is  very  low.     In  the  North  oats 


Oats. 


30  Bushels. 

Average  product  per  acre, 
for  the  U.  S.  of  (  ats,  with  aver- 
aoe  farm  fertiHzation. 


65  Bushels. 

The  i:)roduct  of  an  acre  of  oats 
fertilized  with  Nitrate  of  Soda. 


are  sown  in  the  spring,  and  usually  after  corn  or  a  turned 
down  clover  sod.  In  such  cases  the  crop  is  rarely  ever 
given  fertilizer,  but  shows  an  excellent  return  for  a  top- 
dressing  of  100  pounds  of  Nitrate  of  Soda  per  acre. 
The  crop  has  strong  foraging  powers,  and  will  find  avail- 
able mineral  plant  food  where  a  wheat  crop  would 
utterly  fail.  On  soils  pretty  l)adly  exhausted,  an 
application  of  400  pounds  of  fertihzer  will  yield  a 
profitable  return,  provided  the  top-dressing  of  Nitrate 


is  not  omitted.     Under  any  condition  of  soil  or  fertil-  Food  for 
izing,  a  sickly  green  color  of  the  j^onng  crop  shows  need  — ^°_^_ 
of  Nitrate  of  Soda  plant  food,  and  the  remedy  is  a  top-       '39 
dressing    of    Nitrate.     In    seeding,    use    two    or    three 
bushels  to  the  acre. 

In  many  places  in  Europe  the  cereals,  like  oats 
and  wheat,  are  planted  or  sown  in  rows  and  cultivated 
as  we  cultivate  Indian  corn.  It  is  claimed  that  this 
increases  yield  materiall^s  and  is  of  great  aid  in  helping 
to  avoid  lodging.  It  recjuires  less  seed  per  acre  and 
increases  the  yield. 

Another  method  in  vogue  is  to  sow  less  seed  per 
acre  broadcast  and  use  more  fertilizer,  so  that  the 
individual  stalks  are  stronger  and  bigger. 

Autunni  dressings  of  Nitrate  are  used  frequently 
in  Europe,  and  in  connection  with  minerals  as  much  as 
three  hundred  (300)  pounds  of  Nitrate  per  acre  is  used 
annuallv. 


NITRATE  TEST. 

At  Kentucky  Experiment  Station. 

BULLETIN  99. 

The  oats  in  this  experiment  were  sown  in  April  and 
harvested  in  July.  Plot  No.  1  was  one  acre  in  area; 
the  others  were  one-half  acre  each. 

No  fertilizer,  yield,  27.5  bushels. 

IGO  lbs.  Nitrate  of  Soda,  yield,  37. 1  bushels. 

An  authenticated  experiment  made  by  Mr.  P. 
Dickson,  of  Barnhill,  Laurencekirk,  N.  B.,  gave  a 
return  from  the  use  of  112  pounds  of  Nitrate  of  Soda  of 
64  bushels  per  acre,  while  the  soil  without  Nitrate  gave 
a  crop  of  only  36  bushels.  Top-dressings  for  oat& 
should  average  100  pounds  to  the  acre. 

It  should  always  be  applied  some  teu  days  after  the 
young  plants  have  broken  ground. 

Rye. 

This  is  another  illustration  of  the  necessity  of  care 
in  the  use  of  fertilizer  Nitrogen.     Rye  does  best  on 


[40 


Food'for  lighter  soils  so  long  as  they  are  not  too  sandy,  but  if 
^°^  the  soil  is  rich  in  vegetable  matter,  or  if  a  fertilizer  is 
used  containing  much  organic  ammoniate,  the  grain 
yield  will  be  disappointing;  the  crop  fails  to  mature 
in  season  because  the  Nitration  of  organic  Nitrogen  or 
humus  is  greatest  during  the  warm  days  of  mid-summer, 
and  a  constant  supply  of  available  Nitrate  is  being 
furnished  at  a  time  when  the  crop  should  commence 
to  mature.  The  crop  needs  Nitrate,  but  it  should  have 
been  supplied  during  the  earlier  stages  of  growth. 
Use  at  first  a  general  fertilizer,  500  pounds  per  acre. 
Top  Dress  as  soon  as  the  crop  shows  growth  in  the 
spring  with  100  pounds  of  Nitrate  of  Soda  to  the  acre, 
broadcast. 


Buckwheat. 


No  Nitrate. 
Yield,  19  bushels  per  acre. 


Fertilized  with  125  lbs.  Nitrate 

of  Soda  per  acre. 

Yield,  38  bushels  per  acre. 


Buckwheat. 

This  crop  does  well  on  almost  all  kinds  of  soil, 
but  should  follow  a  grain  or  hoed  crop — that  is,  a  clean 
cultivation  crop.  On  thin  soils  use  about  400  pounds 
of  general  fertilizer  to  the  acre,   applied  just  before 


seeding,  or  even  with  the  seed.     Heavy  soils  do  not  Food  for 

require  fertihzing  for  this  crop,  as  it  has  exceptional  — 

foraging  powers,  and  will  find  nourishment  where  many  hi 
grain  crops  would  starve.  As  soon  as  the  plants  are  well 
above  ground,  apply  a  top-dressing  of  100  pounds  of 
Nitrate  of  Soda  per  acre,  both  on  strong  and  light  soils. 
Use  one  bushel  of  seed  per  acre  on  thin  soils,  but  a 
heavier  apphcation  on  richer  soils. 

Corn. 

This  crop  is  specially  adapted  for  making  use  of 
roughage  of  all  sorts.     It  has  a  long  season  of  growth 

Corn. 


Fertilizer,  300  pounds  per  acre 
minerals  and  150  pounds  per 
acre  Nitrate  of  Soda.  Rate 
of  yield,  100  bushels  ears  per 
acre,  excellent  quality. 


Fertilizer,  ,^wu  i7uuiiJ.->  i>ei  dcre 
minerals  only.  Rate  of  yield, 
80  bushels  ears  per  acre,  poor 
quality. 


and  makes  its  heaviest  demand  for  food  late  in  the 
season  when  the  conditions  are  such  that  soil  Nitration 


Food  for  is  e^i  its  highest  period  of  development.     It  is  also  a 

^^^1  deep  rooting  crop  and  capable  of  drawing  its  food  and 

142  water  from  great  depths.  It  needs  vast  quantities  of 
water,  and  the  tillage  must  be  very  thorougli  that  an 
even  earth  mulch  may  be  practically  continuous.  In 
the  early  spring  it  frequently  starts  off  slowly,  and  on 
this  account  should  have  some  help  in  the  form  of  hill 
applications  of  highly  available  plant  food. 

Sweet  corn  is  quite  a  different  crop  from  field  corn; 
it  has  a  much  shorter  period  of  growth  and  should  be 
fertilized  much  more  heavily.  The  object  in  this  case 
is  not  a  matured  grain,  and  Nitrate  of  Soda  should  be 
used  very  liberally  in  the  shape  of  top-dressings. 

Hops. 
A  Record  of  Four  Years'  Experiments  with  Hops. 

The  experiments  were  conducted  at  Golden  Green, 
Iladlow,  near  Tunbridge,  England,  and  under  the 
supervision  of  Dr.  Bernard  Dyer.  Seven  plots  were 
arranged,  all  except  No.  7  receiving  equal  and  ample 
quantities  of  phosphoric  acid  and  potash,  but  varying 
amounts  of  Nitrate  of  Soda,  and  (plot  7)  thirty  loads 
of  stable  manure.  The  fertilizing  of  the  plots,  and 
the  average  crop,  kiln  dried  hops  per  acre,  with  the 
percentage  of  gain  over  the  plot  not  treated  with 
Nitrate,  are  shown  in  the  following  table. 

Plot  and  Fertilizer.  Kiln  dried  Hops.         Gain  Per  Cent* 

1  No  Nitrate 9.75  cwt.  — 

2  2  cwt.    Nitrate 12.00  "  23 

3  4      "             "       13.67  "  39 

4  6      "             "       13.75  "  41 

5  8      "             "       14.58  "  49 

G       10      "             "       14.58  "  49 

7       30  loads  manure 10.25  "  5 

The  results  show  a  material  gain  in  the  crop  from 
the  use  of  Nitrate  of  Soda,  but  the  applications  on 
plots  5  and  6  are  perhaps  greater  than  will  prove 
economical.  The  quality  of  the  crop  was  given  ex- 
haustive examination,  with  the  results  that  plots  2,  3, 
4  and  7  graded  all  the  same,  and  the  highest.     The 


quality  on  the  other  plots  was  not  materially  different,  ^f^^^^f*''" 

As  a  result  of  the  investigation,  Dr.  Dyer  recommends 

Nitrate  of  Soda  strongly  for  hop  growing,  but  suggests       H3 
early  applications. 


Market  Gardening  with  Nitrate. 

The  following  is    the   result   of    a 
practical  study  of  conditions  on  a  large        Results  in  an 
truck  farm,  near  New  Ycn-k.     In  every       g^^fg':,. 
case  the  operations  ot  the  tarm  were        ^^^  ^.^g  Low 
carried  out  on  a  strictly  business  basis.        Prices  for 
The  soil  was  a  heavy  clay  with  a  rather        Products, 
intractable  clay  subsoil,  decidedly  not 
a  soil  naturally  suited  to  growing  garden  crops.    The 
weather   was   unfavorable,   including   the   most  severe 
drought  in  thirty  years;  from  March  22d  to  July  8th 
practically   no   rain   fell.     Owing   to   the    unfavorable 
season,  the  grade  of  garden  products  was  low,  causing 
a  low  ruling  in  prices.     Details  by  crops  follow : 

Asparagus. 

The  bed  was  twenty  years  old,  and  had  been  neg- 
lected. As  soon  as  workable,  it  was  disc-harrowed,  and 
later  smooth-harrowed  with  an  Acme  harrow.  Nitrate 
of  Soda  was  applied  to  the  best  test  plots  April  10th, 
200  pounds  per  acre,  sown  directly  over  the  rows  and 
well  worked  into  the  soil.  A  second  application  of  100 
pounds  per  acre  was  made  to  plot  1  April  24th;  and,  on 
the  29th,  a  third  application  of  equal  amount. 

The  experiment  comprised  three  plots,  two  fertilized 
with  Nitrate  of  Soda,  and  one  without  Nitrate,  plot  3. 
Plots  1  and  2  ,treated  with  the  Nitrate,  produced  market- 
able stalks  ten  days  in  advance  of  plot  3,  a  very  material 
advantage  in  obtaining  the  high  prices  of  an  early 
market.  The  results  were  as  follows,  in  bunches  per 
acre : 

Plot  and  Fertilizer.                                      Bunches  per  acre.  Gain. 

3     No  Nitrate 560  

2     200  lbs.  Nitrate 680  120 

1     400  lbs.  Nitrate 840  280 


144 


Food  for  The  financial  results  were  as  follows,  prices  being 

^^^°^^  those  actually  obtained  in  the  New  York  markets: 

Plot  1.  Plot  2.  Plot  3. 

Fertilizer,  Nitrate 400  lbs.  200  lbs. 

Gross  receipts $207 .  90  $161 .  50           

Fertilizer  cost 8.40  4.20           

Applying  fertilizer 2 .  00  1 .  00           

Net  receipts..... 197.50  161.50  $112.00 

Nitrate  made  gain 85.50  44.30 

The  use  of  400  pounds  of  Nitrate  of  Soda  produced 
on  plot  1  a  gain  of  $85.50  on  a  fertilizer  and  application 
cost  of  $10.40;  the  use  of  200  pounds  of  Nitrate  returned 
a  similar  gain  of  $44.30  on  a  fertilizer  and  application 
cost  of  $5.20. 

Snap  Beans. 

The  beans  were  grown  for  pods,  or  what  is  known  as 
string  beans.  Three  varieties  were  experimented  with, 
Challenger,  Black  Wax,  and  the  Red  Valentine.  Seeds 
were  drilled  in  May  10th,  in  rows  two  feet  apart;  on 
May  22nd,  an  apphcation  of  100  pounds  of  Nitrate  of 
Soda  per  acre  was  made,  and  on  the  27th,  another 
application  of  150  pounds  was  drilled.     June  12th,  an 

apphcation  of  50  pounds  was  drilled 
Increase  in  along  the  rows,  followed  by  100  pounds 

Crop  and  Bet-  j^^g  19th;  in  all  400  pounds  of  Nitrate 
ter  Quality  ^^  g^^^  p^^,  ^^^^      jj^lf  the  field  was 

well  as  Saving  i^ot  treated  with  Nitrate.  In  case  of 
in  Time.  the    Black   Wax   beans,    the    Nitrated 

land  gave  a  crop  6  days  in  advance  of 
the  part  not  treated  with  Nitrate,  and  the  same  gain  was 
made  by  the  Nitrated  Valentine  beans.  The  Black 
Wax  beans  treated  with  Nitrate  produced  75  per  cent, 
more  marketable  crop  than  the  non-Nitrated  portion, 
and  the  Valentine  variety  60  per  cent.  Taking  into 
consideration  the  enhanced  price  due  to  earlier  ripening, 
the  average  price  of  the  Nitrated  Black  Wax  beans 
averaged  some  60  per  cent,  higher  than  the  portion  of 
the  field  not  treated  with  Nitrate  of  Soda;  in  like  man- 
ner, the  increased  price  of  the  Valentine  beans  was  45 
per  cent. 


145 


'R/a^fo  Food  for 

^^^^^'  Plants 

The   crop   must   be    forced    to    quick    growth    in 
order   to    obtain   tender,    crisp    vege- 
tables,   quickly   salable    and    at    good    Table  Beets 
prices.    Nitrate  of  Soda  was  compared    Grown  on 
with  unfertilized  soil,  with  the  result    p'^^f ^f^/^ar- 
that  on  the  Nitrated  plots  marketable    y^^^^  j^^ys  ^^" 
beets  were  pulled  56  days  from  seeding;    Ahead  of  Un- 
the  unfertilized  plot  required  72  days    fertilized  Plots, 
to  produce  marketable  vegetables.    Ni- 
trate of  Soda  was  apphed  at  the  rate  of  500  pounds  per 
acre,  in  four  applications. 

Early   Cabbage. 

The  cabbage  plots  were  thoroughly  worked  up,  and 
planted  to  Henderson's  Early  Spring  Variety.     Part 
of  the   soil  was   treated   with   Nitrate 
of   Soda   at   the    rate    of    575    pounds    wrrs^aved*?rom 
per  acre,  in  five    applications    ranging    xotal  Failure, 
from  May  1st  to  June  17th.    The  part 
of  the  plot  not  treated  with  Nitrate  of  Soda  was  a  total 
failure,  but  allowing  the  same  number  of  plants  as  the 
fertilized  portion,  and  also  allowing  for  difference  in 
price  on  account  of  later  ripening,  the 
crop  on  the  portion  not  treated  with      A  Dollar  Spent 
Nitrate  should  have  returned  a  gross      J^^  ^^^f^ioi^n" 
amount    of    $292.50.       The    Nitrated      [nTncreased 
portion  returned  gross  receipts  of  $720,      crop. 
from  which  deducting  $19.50  for  fertil- 
izer  and   application   of   same,    we   have   $700.50   for 
Nitrate  of   Soda   as   compared  with   $292.50    without 
Nitrate,  a  net  profit  for  the  Nitrate  of  $408.    That  is, 
for  every  dollar  spent  for  Nitrate  of  Soda,  the  crop  re- 
turned an  additional  $21  nearly. 

Celery. 

Crisp  stalks  of  rich  nutty  flavor  are  a  matter  of 
rapid,  unchecked  growth,  and  plant  food  must  be 
present  in  unstinted  quantity,  as  well  as  in  the  most 
quickly  available  form,  the  best  example  of  which  is 


Food  for  Nitrate  of  Soda.     The  soil  was  plowed  early  in  May, 
^^^"^^  and  subsoiled,  thoroughly  breaking  the  soil  to  a  depth 
146       of    10   inches.      Thirty   bushels   of   slaked   lime    were 
broadcasted  per  acre  immediately  after 
Extraordinary         plowing,  followed  by  a  dressing  of  20 
Returns  on  ^^^^^  ^^  stable  manure,  all  well  worked 

^  ^^^'  into  the  soil.    Plants  were  set  May  10th. 

The  tract  was  portioned  into  three  tracts  for  experi- 
mental purposes;  plot  1  received  675  pounds  of  Nitrate 
of  Soda  per  acre  in  six  applications.  May  16th,  22nd, 
June  1st,  10th,  17th  and  24th.  Plot  2  received  475 
pounds  in  five  apphcations,  May  16th,  22nd,  June  1st, 
17th  and  24th.  Plot  3  was  not  treated  with  Nitrate 
of  Soda. 

Plot  1  was  ready  for  market  July  6th,  and  was  all 
off  by  the  10th.  Plot  2  was  ready  for  market  July  11th 
and  was  all  harvested  by  the  14th.  Plot  3  was  prac- 
tically a  failure  and  was  not  harvested.  Plot  1,  being 
first  in  the  market,  had  the  advantage  of  the  best  prices ; 
the  gross  receipts  were,  per  acre,  $957.80;  from  which 
must  be  deducted  $18.67  for  Nitrate  of  Soda  and  the 
application  of  same — a  net  result  of  $939.13  per  acre. 
Plot  2  gave  a  gross  return  of  $676.30,  from  which 
$13.72  must  be  deducted  for  fertilizer,  leaving  $662.58 
per  acre  net.  Plot  1  makes  therefore  a  gain  of  $276.55 
over  plot  2,  simply  from  the  earliness  in  maturing,  due 
to  the  heavy  applications  of  Nitrate,  for  the  total  crop 
was  approximately  the  same  for  both  plots. 

Cucumbers. 

Plants  were  set  in  box  frames  May  4th.  The 
frames  were  well  filled  with  rotted  manure,  and  were 
banked  as  a  protection  against  late  frosts.  A  portion 
of  the  field  was  treated  with  Nitrate  of  Soda;  on  May 
10th  each  plant  was  given  a  quart  of  a  solution  made 
by  dissolving  three  pounds  of  Nitrate  of  Soda  in  50 
gallons  of  water.  Applications  in  quantity  the  same 
were  made  on  the  experimental  plot  May  16th,  22nd, 
29th,  June  3rd,  9th,  15th,  22nd  and  26th;  making  a 
total  of  165  pounds  of  Nitrate  of  Soda  per  acre.  On 
June    27th    the    experimental    plot    was    setting    fruit 


rapidljs  while  the  plot  not  Nitrated  was  just  coming 
into  bloom.  The  Nitrated  plot  was  given  on  June  29th 
a  quart  of  a  solution  made  by  dissolving  two  ounces  of 
Nitrate  of  Soda  in  a  gallon  of  water;  and  this  appli- 
cation was  repeated  July  3rd,  7th,  15th,  24th  and  August 
8th.     This  practically  doubled  the  Nitrate  application. 

The  first  picking  on  the  Nitrated 
plot  was   made  Julv  1st,  on  the  non-        Gain  in  Time 
Nitrated  plot  July  22nd,  when  prices        ve^^^Remark- 
were  at   the   lowest  point.     After  the        ^^^^  ^^^^ 
early  market  season  w  as  over,  the  vines        Weeks  in 
were  treated    for    pickling  cucumbers.        Advance, 
the  Nitrated  plot  receiving  50  pounds 
of  Nitrate  of  Soda  dissolved  in  water  as  before;  later,  two 
applications  of  a  quart  each,  containing  half  an  ounce 
per  gallon.     The  result  Avas  that  the  vines  continued 
bearing  until  cut  down  by  frost.     The  estimated  yields 
were  as  follows:     Nitrated  plot,  per  acre,  6,739  dozen, 
plot  not  Nitrated  gave  per  acre  9-l<8  dozen. 

Sweet  Corn. 

The  crop  was  planted  on  rather  poor  soil.  Seed 
was  planted  May  4th,  and  the  cultivators  started 
May  12th.  A  portion  of  the  field  was  selected  for 
experiment,  and  on  this  an  application  of  75  pounds 
of  Nitrate  of  Soda  per  acre  was  made  May  20th,  drilled 
close  to  the  row.  A  second  application  of  the  same 
amount  was  made  May  20th,  and  on  June  5th  a  third 
application.  On  June  17th  there  were  100  pounds 
per  acre  applied  and  cultivated  into  the  soil.  The  total 
Nitrate  applied  to  the  experimental  plot  amounted  to 
325  pounds  per  acre.  The  Nitrated  plot  ripened  corn 
5  days  ahead  of  the  non-Nitrated  portion,  and  pro- 
duced 994  dozen  ears  against  623  dozen  from  an  acre 
not  treated  with  Nitrate  of  Soda.  The  Nitrated  crop, 
being  earlier  in  the  market,  brought  better  prices; 
the  gross  return  being  $99.40  per  acre  as  compared 
with  $62.30  for  the  non-Nitrated  plot.  The  cost  of 
the  Nitrate  and  its  application  expenses  amounted  to 
$9.75  per  acre,  leaving  a  net  gain  from  the  use  of  Ni- 
,   trate  of  Soda,  of  $27.35  per  acre. 


Food  for 
Plants 


Food  for  Egg-Plant. 

Plants  *='*' 


148 


The  plants  were  set  in  the  usual  manner,  part  of 
the  tract  being  treated  with  Nitrate  of  Soda  at  the  rate 
of  475  pounds  per  acre  to  observe  the  practical  value 
of  the  Nitrate  for  forcing.  Before  setting,  the  plants 
were  given  a  light  application  of  Nitrate  in  solution. 
June  1st,  150  pounds  was  the  amount  used,  on  the  10th 
this  was  repeated,  and  on  June  22nd,  a  third  application 
was  made.  The  Nitrated  plot  produced  marketable 
fruit  July  5th,  the  non-Nitrated  plot  did  not  reach  the 
market  until  July  26th.  The  Nitrated  plot  produced 
per  acre  33,894  fruits,  all  of  good  quality;  the  non- 
Nitrated  plot  produced  only  8,712  fruits  per  acre. 

Kale. 

An  application  of  50  pounds  of  Nitrate  of  Soda  and 
100  pounds  of  Dried  Fish  per  acre,  in  May,  increased 
the  growth  30  per  cent. 

Early  Lettuce, 

The  plants  were  started  in  the  hot-house,  and 
pricked  into  cold  frames;  April  26th  they  were  set  in 
the  field.  The  Nitrate  applications  on  the  experiment 
plot  were  per  acre  as  follows:  April  29th,  100  pounds; 
May  4th,  150  pounds;  May  12th,  200  pounds;  May 
18th,  200  pounds;  May  23rd,  100  pounds;  a  total  of 
750  pounds  per  acre.  The  Nitrated  plot  was  first  cut 
May  26th,  and  at  this  time  the  non-Nitrated  plot  was 
just  beginning  to  curl  a  few  leaves  towards  the  heart  for 
heading.  Approximately,  the  Nitrated  plot  produced 
per  acre  1,724  dozen  heads,  and  were  ready  for  market 
so  early  that  the  average  wholesale  price  was  25  cents 
per  dozen;  per  acre,  $431.00.  From  this  we  must 
deduct  $20.00  for  Nitrate  and  the  expense  of  applying 
same,  leaving  net,  $411.00.  On  the  non-Nitrated  plot 
only  about  4  per  cent,  of  the  plants  headed,  and  these 
reached  the  market  three  weeks  late.  The  financial 
statement  shows  48  dozen  heads  at  10  cents,  or  a  net 
return  per  acre  of  <i54.80.  That  is,  without  the  Nitrate 
dressing,  the  crop  was  a  failure. 


Onions.  |f^,|- 


The  soil  was  in  bad  condition,  and  was  liberally 
limed.  Seeding  was  completed  April  15tli,  and  the 
plants  were  rapidly  breaking  ground  by  the  28th.  The 
tract  was  divided  into  three  plots;  plot  1  received  675 
pounds  of  Nitrate  of  Soda  in  six  applications  at  inter- 
vals of  a  week  or  10  days;  plot  2,  375  pounds  in  four 
applications;  plot  3  was  not  treated  with  Nitrate. 
The  Nitrated  plots  seemed  least  affected  by  the  ex- 
ceptionally dry  weather,  but  the  crop  on  all  the  plots 
was  no  doubt  reduced  by  the  unfavorable  conditions. 
The  following  table  gives  the  results  by  plots,  computed 
to  an  acre  basis: 

Nitrate  Nitrate  No 

675  lbs.  375  lbs.  Nitrate. 

Total  yield 756  bu.  482  bu.  127  bu. 

Per  cent,  scullions 15  1.7  19. 0 

Average  price  per  bushel 75  cts.  65  cts.  35  cts. 

Total  receipts $567.00  $313.30  $44.50 

Fertilizer  cost 20.17  9.30 

Total  net  receipts 546.83  304.00  44.50 

The  result  shows  very  clearly  that  but  for  the 
Nitrate  apphcations,  the  crop  must  have  been  a  failure 
in  every  respect. 

Early  Peas. 

This  crop  was  planted  under  the  same  conditions 
and  in  like  manner  to  the  snap  beans;  an  application 
of  300  pounds  of  Nitrate  of  Soda  per  acre  w^as  given, 
to  the  experiment  plots.  Two  varieties  w^ere  planted, 
early  and  late.     The  results  were: 

Early.  Late. 

Nitrate.  Nothing.  Nitrate.  Nothing. 

Date  planted April  15  April  15  May     1  May     1 

First  picking June    8  June  17  June  29  July     4 

Gain  to  Market 9  days         5  days         

Period  of  bearing 11  days  8  days  10  days  6  days 

Crop  on  first  picking. .   55  p.  ct.  40  p.  ct.  57  p.  ct.  38  p.  ct. 

Total  yield 165  p.  ct.  100  p.  ct.  168  p.  ct.  100  p.  ct. 

The  season  was  very  unfavorable  for  this  crop,  yet 
the  results  show  that  the  Nitrate  made  a  powerful  effort 
to  offset  this  disadvantage.     The  earliness  to  market 


^^pf^t'^  in  this  case  is  as  pronounced  as  in  the  other  garden 

crops,  and  is  one  of  the  most  profitable  factors  in  the 

150      use  of  Nitrate  of  Soda.     The  lengthening  of  the  bearing 
period  is  an  added  advantage. 

Early  Potatoes. 

Ploughing  was  finished  the  second  week  in  April, 
and  limed  at  the  rate  of  35  bushels  per  acre.  Furrows 
were  opened  tln-ee  feet  apart,  and  750  pounds  per  acre 
of  a  high-grade  fertilizer  worked  into  the  rows.  May 
1st  the  potatoes  were  breaking  ground,  and  an  appli- 
cation of  100  pounds  of  Nitrate  of  Soda  per  acre  on  the 
experiment  plot  was  made,  followed  on  the  11th  by 
200  pounds  of  Nitrate,  and  on  the  S^9th,  150  pounds 
more  were  cultivated  in  with  a  horse-hoe.  The  total 
Nitrate  application  per  acre  was  450  pounds.  The 
Nitrated  plot  was  harvested  July  6th,  and  retailed  at 
an  average  price  of  $1.60  per  bushel;  the  plot  not 
treated  with  Nitrate  was  dug  July  17tli,  eleven  days 
later,  and  the  highest  price  obtained  was  80  cents  per 
bushel.  The  Nitrated  plot  produced  per  acre  19 
bushels  unmarketable  tubers,  the  non-Nitrated  plot 
46  bushels.  The  total  crop  marketable  was  297  bushels 
for  Nitrate,  and  92  bushels  for  non-Nitrated  plot. 
Deducting  the  cost  of  Nitrate  of  Soda  and  the  expense 
of  applying  same,  the  Nitrated  crop  was  worth  $463.30 
per  acre,  while  the  non-Nitrated  plot  returned  only 
$69.00  per  acre.  For  every  dollar  expended  for  Nitrate 
of  Soda,  the  crop  increase  gave  $30.18  return. 

Late  Potatoes. 

Conditions  were  the  same  as  in  the  case  of  early 
potatoes,  except  the  Nitrate  of  Soda  was  used  at  the 
rate  of  500  pounds  per  acre,  in  five  applications.  The 
crop  of  marketable  tubers  on  the  Nitrated  plot  amounted 
to  }37Ji  bushels  per  acre;  on  the  non-Nitrated  plot  the 
yield  amounted  to  Sol  bushels  marketable  tubers.  The 
gain  for  Nitrate  of  Soda  was  143  bushels,  or  nearly  62 
per  cent,  increase. 


Early  Tomatoes. 

With  this  crop  tlie  object  is  to  mature  quickly 
rather  than  to  obtain  a  heavy  acre  yield;  one  basket  of 
early  tomatoes  at  $1.25  is  worth  more  than  15  baskets 
later  in  the  season,  when  the  price  is  about  8  cents  per 
basket.  The  plants  to  be  used  on  the  Nitrated  plot 
were  treated  with  a  diluted  solution  of  Nitrate  four 
separate  times.  Plants  were  field  set  IVIay  17th,  and 
<>iven  six  applications  of  Nitrate  of  Soda:  1st,  100 
pounds  per  acre  soon  after  setting  out;  2nd,  3rd  and 
41  h  of  75  pounds  each;  and  5th  and  Gth  of  50  pounds 
each — in  all,  about  425  pounds  per  acre.  The  results 
were : 

Nitrate.  No  Nitrate. 

Plant.s  set  out  in  field May  17  May  17 

First  picking June  30  July  19 

Days,  .setting  to  first  picking 1<.'3  62 

Crop  at  $1.00  and  upward  per  ba.sket. .  40  j).  ct.                   

.75            "                     "          ..  30       '•  10  p.  ct. 

.50            "                     "          ..  20       "  15       " 

.30            "                     "          ..  10       "  20      " 

.25            "                     "          .. 25       " 

.15            "                     "          ..  —    -  15       " 

.08            "                     "          ..       15       " 

Estimated  yield  per  acre,  baskets 500  600 

Gro.ss  receipts $377 . 50  $190 . 20 

Cost  of  fertilizer  and  application 10.35                  

x\et  receipts 367. 15  190.20 

Gain  per  acre  for  Nitrate 176.95                 

The  indicated  gain  amounts  to  a  return  of  $17.09 
for  every  dollar  expended  for  Nitrate  of  Soda. 

The  experiments  detailed  in  this  pamphlet  are  all 
on  a  working  basis.  In  every  case  the  object  was  to 
force  the  crop  to  an  early  yield,  and  while  the  applica- 
tions of  Nitrate  of  Soda  seem  large  and  are  large  in 
proportion  to  the  actual  needs  of  the  crops  grown,  at 
the  same  time  the  nature  of  market-gardening  requires 
free  use  of  innnediatelj^  available  plant  food,  and  the 
results  show  that  such  use  is  very  profitable. 

Asparagus. 

The  soil  should  be  sand3%  or  a  light  loam.  As  the 
crop  remains  in  position  for  many  years,  the  land  should 


Food  for 
Plants 


Food  for  be  selected  with  that  fact  in  mind.    The  soil  must  be 
^*^  kept  very  clean  and  mellow.     Stable  manure  is  very 


152  objectionable  on  account  of  its  weed  seeds.  It  is  only 
by  a  quick,  even  growth  that  large,  crisp  stalks  can  be 
produced,  and  there  must  be  no  check  through  a  scanty 
supply  of  plant  food.  In  the  spring,  as  soon  as  the 
ground  can  be  worked,  clear  off  the  rows  and  loosen  up 
the  soil,  and  apply  broadcast  along  the  rows  a  top- 
dressing  of  Nitrate  of  Soda,  from  200  to  300  pounds. 
With  this  crop,  the  full  application  of  Nitrate  can  be 
made  at  one  time. 

Enormous  profits  may  be  derived  from  the  proper 
use  of  fertilizers  on  asparagus. 

If  the  rent,  labor,  etc.,  for  a  crop  of  asparagus  is 
$200  per  acre,  and  the  crop  is  three  tons  of  green  shoots 
at  $100  per  ton,  on  the  farm,  the  profit  is  $100  per  acre. 
If  we  get  six  tons  at  $100  per  ton,  the  profit,  less  the 
extra  cost  of  labor  and  fertilizer,  is  $400  per  acre. 

In  such  crops  as  asparagus,  however,  doubling  the 
yield  by  the  use  of  Nitrate  of  Soda  does  not  tell  half 
the  story. 

Asparagus  is  sold  by  the  bunch,  weighing  about  2)^ 
pounds.  The  prices  range,  according  to  earliness  and 
quality,  from  10  cents  to  25  cents  per  bunch  at  wholesale, 
or  from  $80  to  $200  per  ton. 

By  leaving  out  all  these  considerations  and  assum- 
ing that  the  non-Nitrated  asparagus  yields  three  tons 
per  acre  and  sells  for  $100  per  ton,  and  that  the  Nitrated 
asparagus  yields  six  tons  per  acre  and  sells  for  $200  per 
ton,  the  profits  of  the  two  crops,  less  the  extra  cost  for 
labor  and  fertilizer,  are  as  follows: 

Without  Nitrate  of  Soda $    100  per  acre. 

With  Nitrate  of  Soda 1,000  per  acre. 

Beets,  Carrots,  Parsnips,  Etc. 

Market  For  garden   crops   such   as  beets* 

Garden  Crops.  carrots,  parsnips,  onions,  spinach,  let- 
tuce, etc.,  sow  the  mixture  as  recommended  for  pota- 
toes, broadcast  before  the  seed  is  sown,  at  the  rate  of 
from  500  to  1,000  pounds  per  acre,  according  to  the  rich- 
ness of  the  land.     When  the  land  has  been  heavily 


manured  for  a  number  of  years,  it  may  not  be  necessary 
to  use  so  much  phosphate  and  potash.  Nitrate  of 
Soda  alone  on  such  land  often  has  a  wonderful  effect. 
The  best  fertilizer  is  a  mixture  of  200  pounds  of 
Nitrate  of  Soda  and  350  pounds  phosphate.    A  small 


Food  for  quantity  of  sulphate  of  potash  should  be  added  when 
_^^  the  land  is  sandy. 

IS4 

Cabbage  and  Cauliflower. 

For  growing  cabbages  and  cauliflower  sow  broad- 
cast the  same  mixture  as  recommended  for  potatoes, 
using  a  small  handful  to  each  square  yard  of  ground,  and 
rake  or  harrow  it  in  before  sowing  the  seed. 

Cabbage  requires  a  deep,  mellow  soil,  and  rich  in 
plant  food.  Early  maturing  cabbage,  perhaps  the  most 
profitable  method  of  growing  this  vegetable,  produces 
30,000  pounds  of  vegeta])le  sul)stance  to  the  acre,  using 
about  140  pounds  of  ammonia,  V2i)  pounds  of  potasli, 
and  33  pounds  of  phosi)horic  acid,  all  as  actually  assinii- 
lated  plant  food.  The  crop  must  be  fertilized  heavily. 
As  the  soil  is  thoroughly  fined  in  the  spring,  there  should 
be  incorporated  with  it  by  rows,  corresponding  to  the 
rows  of  plants,  about  1,500  pounds  of  fertilizer  per 
acre.  For  early  cabbage  set  close  together:  it  will  pay 
to  sow  the  fertilizers  broadcast  over  the  whole  ground 
and  work  them  in  before  setting  out  the  plants.  If  the 
land  has  been  heavily  manured  for  a  number  of  years 
Nitrate  of  Soda  alone  may  do  as  much  good  as  the 
mixture.  In  this  case,  the  Nitrate  may  be  used  after 
the  plants  are  set  out— a  teaspoonful  to  a  plant. 

For  late  cabbage,  set  ^^  to  3  feet  apart  each  way. 
It  is  a  good  plan  to  apply  the  fertilizers  after  the  plants 
are  set  out. 

After  the  plants  have  set  and  have  rooted,  say  a 
week  from  setting,  apply  along  the  rows  a  top-dressing 
of  200  pounds  of  Nitrate  of  Soda  per  acre  and  work  into 
the  soil  with  a  fine  toothed  horse  hoe;  the  soil  must  be 
kept  loose  to  a  depth  of  at  least  two  inches,  and  conse- 
quently there  will  be  no  extra  labor  in  working  this 
fertilizer  into  the  soil.  Some  three  weeks  later  incorpo- 
rate in  the  same  manner  into  the  soil  300  to  400  pounds 
of  Nitrate  of  Soda.  Soil  Nitration  cannot  be  depended 
on  under  any  circumstances  for  supplying  enough 
natural  Nitrate  for  cabbage.  Nitrate  of  Soda  is  the 
only  immediately  predigested  Nitrated  ammoniate  in 
the  market  and  is  an  absolute  necessity  for  early  cab- 


l)ago,  and  should  l)e  used  liberally,     This  crop  should  Ffodfor 

not  follow  itself  more  than  twice,  as  by  so  doing  there 

is  no  little  danger  of  serious  disease  to  the  crop.  ^^^ 

Sugar  Mangels. 


300  lbs.  Acid  Phosphate. 
100  lbs.  Sulphate  of  Potash. 
150  lbs.  Nitrate  of  Soda. 
Yield,  38,'-2-i0  lbs.  sugar  man- 
gels per  acre. 


300  lbs.  Acid  Phosphate. 
100  lbs.  Sulphate  ofjPotash. 
Yield,  24,120  lbs.  sugar  man- 
gels per  acre. 


Cantaloupes. 

A  continuous  and  rapid  growth  in  cantaloupes  is 
essential  to  earliness  and  a  good  crop,  and  Nitrate  of 
Soda  under  the  proper  conditions,  and  with  proper  care, 
yields  just  such  results.  A  dressing  of  Nitrate  of  Soda 
alongside  the  rows  in  cultivating,  in  addition  to  the 
general  fertilizer  used,  has  been  most  successful. 

Celery. 

Phosphate  should  be  worked  into  the  land  intended 
for  growing  celery  plants,  either  the  fall  before  or  in  the 
spring,  before  the  seed  is  sown,  at  the  rate  of  500  pounds 
per  acre.  As  soon  as  the  plants  come  up,  sow  broadcast 
500  pounds  of  Nitrate  of  Soda  per  acre,  or  a  small  hand- 
ful to  each  square  yard.    If  heavy  rains  occur,  it  is  well 


Food  for  to  give  the  plants  another  appUcation  of  Nitrate.    This 
^^^"^^  need  not  be  as  heavy  as  the  first  apphcation. 


^56 


Flowers. 

Every  gardener  (of  vegetables  or  flowers)  should 
have  at  hand,  all  through  the  season,  a  bag  or  box  of 
Nitrate  of  Soda,  to  be  used  as  a  top-dressing  on  any 


Fertilizer  Experiments  with  Fuchsias. 


^::*h}.U.. 


Phosphoric  Acid  and  Potash 
without  Nitrate  of  Soda. 


Phosphoric  Acid  and  Potash 
with  2j  oz.  Nitrate  of  Soda. 


and  every  crop  that  grows  in  the  garden.  The  need 
for  nitrogen  is  indicated  by  the  pale  green  color  of 
foliage  and  slow  growth.  It  is  quite  easy  to  be  too 
hberal  in  using  Nitrate.  From  50  to  100  pounds  per 
acre  is  the  range  in  the  quantity  to  be  applied  at  any 
one  time  to  one  acre.  One  pound  of  it  would  give 
about  30  heaping  teaspoonfuls.  So  1  to  13^  such 
spoonfuls  to  a  square  yard,  or  3  feet  along  a  row  that 


157 


is  3  feet  wide,  would  be  about  100  pounds  per  acre.  p^°^^l°^ 
The  quantity,  however,  may  be  larger  where  the  plants 
— such  as  cabbage — are  half  grown  and  in  good  con- 
dition to  grow. 

Nitrate  of  Soda  is  an  ideal  fertilizer  for  all  kinds 
of   flowering   plants,   especially   roses.     It   is,   as   you 


Fertilizer  Experiments  with  Chrysanthemums. 


N. 


Phosphoric  Acid  and  Potash.      Phosphoric  Acid  and  Potash  with 

1|  oz.  Nitrate  of  Soda. 


know,  neat  and  cleanly  and  harmless  (not  acid,  nor 
caustic),  and  every  woman  who  cultivates  vegetables 
and  flowers  should  keep  it  on  hand,  to  be  used  as  occa- 
sion shall  demand,  as  a  top-dressing,  say,  at  the  rate 
of  one-half  to  one  teaspoonful  to  the  square  yard,  or 
one  rose  bush. 


^Plants  Greenhouse  Plant  Food. 

158  The  use  of  rotted  stable  manure  as  a  source  of 

greenhouse  plant  food  has  lieen  the  custom  for  so  many 
years  that  more  effective  forms  of  plant  food  make  head- 
way slowly;  yet  this  rotted  stable  manure  has  many 
disadvantages.  It  always  contains  more  or  less  weed 
seed  as  well  as  disease  germs,  and  it  supplies  its  plant 
food  in  available  form  very  irregularly.  iVlso,  by  fer- 
mentation it  materially  influences  the  temperature  of 
the  seed  bed,  a  temperature  we  have  no  means  of 
regulating.  The  Nitrogen  it  contains  is  not  Nitrated, 
hence  for  forcing  it  cannot  be  safely  relied  upon.  For 
greenhouse  work,  the  fertilizer  chemicals  should  be 
used,  such  as  Nitrate  of  Soda,  acid  phosphate  and  sul- 
phate of  potash.  They  should  always  be  used  in  such 
proportions  that  100  pounds  of  ammoniate  Nitrogen  are 
always  accompanied  by  30  pounds  of  phosphoric  acid 
and  70  pounds  of  actual  potash.  The  quantity  to  be 
applied  should  correspond  to  about  three-fourths  of  an 
ounce  of  Nitrate  Nitrogen  per  square  yard  of  surface; 
that  is,  to  each  square  yard  of  bench,  use  about  5  ounces 
of  Nitrate  of  Soda,  3  ounces  of  acid  phosphate  and  2 
ounces  of  sulphate  of  potash.  A  mixture  of  these  pro- 
portions may  be  dissolved  in  water  and  applied  in  small 
portions  every  few  days,  taking  care,  however,  to  cease 
applications  with  those  plants  it  is  desired  to  fully 
mature,  as  soon  as  the  desired  growth  is  made. 

Lawns  and  Golf  Links, 

Good  lawns  are  simply  a  matter  of  care  and  rational 
treatment.  If  the  soil  is  very  light,  top-dress  liberally 
with  clay  and  work  into  the  sand.  In  all  cases  the  soil 
must  be  thoroughly  fined  and  made  smooth,  as  the 
seed,  being  very  small,  requires  a  fine  seed  bed.  In  the 
South,  seed  to  Bermuda  grass  or  Kentucky  blue  grass; 
in  the  North,  the  latter  is  also  a  good  lawn  grass,  but 
perhaps  a  little  less  desirable  than  Rhode  Island  bent 
grass  (Agrostis  canina).  Avoid  mixtures,  as  they  give 
an  irregularly  colored  lawn  under  stress  of  drouth,  or 
early  frosts,  or  maturity.    For  Rhode  Island  bent  grass 


use  50  pounds  of  seed  per  acre,  Kentucky  blue  grass  40  ^J^^J**'" 

to  45  pounds,  and  for  Bermuda  grass  15  pounds.     If  

for  any  reason  the  soil  cannot  he  properly  prepared,  '59 
pulverize  the  fertilizer  very  fine  indeed.  The  grass 
should  be  mowed  regularly  and  the  clippings  removed 
imtil  nearly  midsummer  when  they  are  best  left  on  the 
soil  as  a  mulch.  For  a  good  lawn,  broadcast  per  acre  in 
the  spring  enough  of  a  fertilizer  to  supply  100  pounds  of 
actual  potash  and  50  pounds  of  available  phosphoric 
acid;  also,  use  at  the  same  time  and  in  the  same  manner, 
a  top-dressing  of  300  pounds  per  acre  of  Nitrate  of  Soda. 
By  the  end  of  June  rejieat  the  Nitrate  top-dressing, 
using  only  100  pounds  of  the  material.  At  any  time 
through  the  growing  season,  yellow  spots  or  lands  should 
be  given  a  light  top-dressing  of  Nitrate,  and  thoroughly 
wet  down  if  possible.  Lawns  are  very  different  from 
field  crops  as  they  are  not  called  upon  to  mature  growth 
in  the  line  of  seed  productions,  and  they  may  safely  be 
given  applications  of  Nitrate  whenever  the  sickly  green 
color  of  the  grass  appears,  which  shows  that  digestible 
or-  Nitrated  ammonia  is  the  plant  food  needed.  These 
applications  of  plant  food  must  be  continued  each  year 
without  fail,  and  all  bare  or  partly  bare  spots  well 
raked  down  and  reseeded.  If  absolutely  bare,  these 
spots  should  be  deeply  spaded.  On  very  heavy  clay 
soils,  and  in  low  situations,  a  drainage  system  must  be 
established. 

Lettuce. 

Culture. — Sow  in  hotbeds  in  March,  and  in  the 
open  ground  as  soon  as  it  can  be  worked,  and  transplant 
to  rows  8  inches  apart.  Sow  in  two  weeks'  time  same 
varieties  again,  as  also  Cos,  for  a  succession.  In  August 
sow  any  of  the  varieties.  In  October  some  of  these  may 
be  planted  in  frames,  to  head  in  winter  and  early  spring. 
Always  sow  thin,  and  thin  out  well,  or  the  plants  will 
not  be  strong.  The  last  spring  sowing  had  better  be 
grown  where  sown,  being  thinned  out  to  6  or  8  inches 
apart.  To  have  Cos  in  good  order  they  must  be  sown 
in  a  hotbed  early  in  the  year,  and  transplanted  to  a 
coldframe,  so  as  to  have  good  plants  to  set  out  at  the 
opening  of  the  ground.     They  require  tying  for  a  few 


Food  for  days,  when  grown  to  blanch.     Lettuce  requires  good 
Plants  gj,Q^j^^^  enriched  with  thoroughly  rotted  manure  and 


i6o      well  pulverized.    The  after-culture  should  be  close  and 
careful,  to  secure  the  best  results. 


Mangolds. 

Nitrate  of  Soda  pays  well  for  roots  if  applied  at  the 
rate  of  200  pounds  per  acre.  Use  in  two  applications 
about  ten  days  apart,  the  first  not  earlier  than  July. 
The  Essex  Agricultural  Society  found  by  experiment 
that  12  tons  of  farmyard  manure  and  300  pounds 
superphosphate  gave  a  crop  of  nearly 
jy^^ioL  ^^^   ^^^  one-half    tons    per  acre,    but 

when  200  pounds  of  Nitrate  of  Soda 
were  added,  the  yield  was  increased  to  over  15  tons. 
The  season  was  very  unfavorable. 


Melons,   Cucumbers  and  Squash. 

The  remarks  following  upon  the  profitable  fertiliz- 
ing of  melons,  applies  also  to  cucumbers,  cantaloupes, 
squash  and  similar  crops.  All  these  crops  do  best  on  a 
rather  light  loam,  or  if  heavier  soils  are  used  the 
drainage  should  be  of  the  best.  The  method  of  growing 
these  crops  is  too  well  known  to  require  mention  here. 
They  should  generally  follow  a  clean  culture  crop,  such 
as  corn,  as  most  of  these  plants  cover  the  ground 
between  rows  so  quickly  that  cultivation  is  limited  to 
the  first  few  weeks  of  growth.  This  is  also  an  argument 
for  a  thorough  preparation  of  the  soil,  deep  plowing  and 
deep  working  in  preparing  the  hills. 

As  soon  as  the  plants  are  well  started,  work  into 
the  soil  about  the  hills  a  few  ounces  of  a  Nitrated  ammo- 
niate  (Nitrate  of  Soda),  a  quantity  per  hill  correspond- 
ing to  250  to  350  pounds  of  Nitrate  of  Soda  per  acre. 

The  best  way  is  to  scatter  the  fertilizer  for  two  feet 
around  the  hills  and  rake  it  into  the  soil  with  a  steel 
garden  rake.  This  not  only  mixes  the  fertilizer  with 
the  soil,  but  it  loosens  the  ground  and  kills  all  small 
weeds  that  are  coming  up. 


i6i 


If  at  any  time  the  hills  should  show  a  sickly  yellow,  Food  for 
apply  Nitrate  at  once,  however  late  in  the  season.  ! 

Cucumbers,  squash  and  cantaloupes  should  be 
planted  in  hills  5  feet  apart  each  way,  watermelons  in 
hills  10  feet  apart  each  way.  Level  culture  rather  than 
ridges  is  found  to  be  more  generally  successful  on  very 
light  soils. 


Profitable  Onion  Cultivation. 

There  is  no  crop  that  can  be  grown  Adaptability  of 
so  successfully  on  a  large  scale,  in  such  *^^ J-^fj^°^  *° 
a  variety  of  soil  and  climate,  and  that 
will  respond  more  profitably  to  intelligent  cultivation 
and  fertilizing,  than  the  onion.  The  American  farmer 
has  usually  been  willing  to  leave  the  growing  of  this 
savory  vegetable  almost  entirely  to  the  enterprising 
immigrant,  who  often  makes  more  net  profit  at  the 
end  of  the  season  from  his  five  acres  of  onions  than  the 
general  farmer  makes  on  one  hundred  acres.  The 
weeder  and  the  improved  wheel-hoe  have  made  it  com- 
paratively easy  to  care  for  the  crop;  there  is  no  reason 
why  the  progressive  farmer  who  is  looking  about  for  a 
new  money  crop  should  not  raise  onions  with  ease  and 
profit. 

We  shall  consider  here  the  growing  of  onions  only 
as  a  field  crop  for  the  fall  and  winter  market.  The  onion 
can  be  successfully  grow  n  anywhere  in  the  United  States 
where  other  vegetables  thrive. 

The  reason  that  onions  have  not  been  more  gener- 
ally grown  by  farmers  is  owing  to  the  mistaken  idea  that 
it  is  impossible  to  grow  them  without  the  application  of 
vast  quantities  of  stable  manure,  but  onion-growing 
with  the  aid  of  chemical  fertilizers  is  not  only  much 
cheaper,  but  the  average  crop  is  much  larger.  The  ex- 
cessive quantity  of  stable  manure  required  to  grow  a 
maximum  crop  tends  to  make  the  land  too  open,  when 
the  great  secret  of  onion  culture  is  to  get  the  land  solidi- 
fied. The  ploughing  under  of  so  much  bulky  manure 
also  tends  to  cut  oft"  the  moisture  supply  from  below, 
which  is  so  important  in  the  quick  growth  of  crops  of 


Food  for  this  nature  and  which  can  only  be  obtained  by  having 
^^^^^  the  soil  very  compact  and  in  fine  tilth  so  as  to  promote 
162      the  capillary  movement  of  the  soil  moisture  to  the  sur- 
face, where  it  may  be  retained  for  the  use  of  the  crop  by 
means  of  frequent  and  shallow  cultivation. 

The  advantage  of  using  Nitrate  of  Soda  instead  of 
stable  manure  as  the  source  of  Nitrogen  for  this  crop  is 
plainly  evident,  as  the  Nitrate  supplies  the  most 
beneficial  ingredient  contained  in  the  stable  manure 
(Nitrogen),  and  in  a  form  in  which  it  is  not  dependent 
upon  soil  bacteria  and  weather  conditions  to  make  it 
available  for  the  young  plants  when  they  need  it  most. 
If  it  be  necessary  to  add  humus  to  the  soil  in  the  form  of 


Onions. 


675  lbs.  of  Nitrate  of  Soda 
to  the  acre,  in  6  applica- 
tions. 


375  lbs.  of  Nitrate  of 
Soda  to  the  acre,  in 
4  applications. 


No  Nitrate. 


stable  manure  it  should,  if  possible,  be  applied  a  year  in 
advance. 

The  presence  of  Nitrate  at  the  outset  enables  the 
plant  to  start  off  with  a  good  healthy  root  growth, 
whereby  it  is  better  able  to  take  up  later  the  other  and 
more  complex  food  elements. 

If  it  cost  $45.00  per  acre  for  rent,  ploughing,  har- 
rowing, seeding,  weeding  and  cultivating  to  produce  a 
crop  of  onions  ready  to  harvest,  then 

A  crop  of  225  bushels  per  acre  costs  20  cts.  per  bushel. 
A  crop  of  450  bushels  per  acre  costs  10  cts.  per  bushel. 
A  crop  of  900  bushels  per  acre  costs    5  cts.  per  bushel. 


The  latter  yield  is  not  at  all  unusual  when  the  crop  p'J^^^l^^ 

is  properly  fed  with  Nitrate  of  Soda  and  supplementary  

chemical  fertilizers.  ^^3 

In  the  first  place,  the  onion,  contrary  to  the  general 
belief,  does  not  require  any  special  kind  of  soil,  such  as 
muck,  black  sand,  etc.,  but  will  do  well  on  any  good  corn 
or  potato  soil,  provided  it  is  not  too  sour  or  so  stony  as 
to  interfere  with  the  early  and  frequent  cultivation  of 
the  crop. 

Even  though  a  field  is  somewhat  stony,  it  will  pay  to 
rake  the  stones  into  the  dead  furrows  which  should  be 
about  tw^enty  feet  apart,  as  the  stones  would  make  it 
impossible  to  do  good  work  with  the 
weeder  and  wheel  hoe. 

In  selecting  your  field  for  onions  it  Necessity  of 
is,   of   course,  advisable  to  choose  one  Moisture  in 

that  is  likely  to  be  affected  as  little  as  °^  * 

possible  in  the  event  of  a  severe  drought,  and  it  is  for 
this  reason  that  onions,  cabbage  and  those  crops  that 
especially  require  large  quantities  of  moisture  during 
their  growth  are  usually  grown  upon  bottom  lands. 

Ploughing     for     tiie     onion     crop  Cultivation, 

should  preferably  be  done  m  the  tall  to 
a  depth  of  eight  inches  or  more,  leaving  the  soil  in  the 
furrow  to  be  acted  upon  by  the  frost  during  the  winter. 
It  at  the  same  time  becomes  more  compact — the  onion 
likes  a  solid  seed  bed.  When  for  any  reason  the  plough- 
ing has  to  be  done  in  the  spring  it  should  be  done  very 
early  and  worked  down  solid.  The  lands  should  be 
narrow,  so  that  the  numerous  dead  furrows  will  drain 
off  excessive  surface  moisture  early  in  the  spring,  as  it  is 
desirable  to  get  the  seed  sown  very  early. 

As  soon  as  the  condition  of  the  soil      Free  use  of  the 
in  the  spring  will  permit,  it  should  be      HarroAv  and 
worked  over  with  the  harrow  or  pul-      Pulverizer, 
verizer  as   deeply   as  the  ground  will 
allow  and  rolled  with  a  heavy  roller,  which  should  be 
followed  at  once  with  a  light  harrow,  which  will  loosen 
the  surface  soil  and  form  a  light  mulch  to  help  conserve 
the  moisture.    This  operation  should  be  repeated  each 
week  until  it  is  time  to  sow  the  seed,  which  in  this 
latitude  is  when  the  apple  trees  begin  to  bloom. 


Food  for  The  seed  should  be  sown  with  a  hand  seed  drill 

_Z^^  about  three-quarters  of  an  inch  deep  and  in  rows  about 
164      fifteen  inches  apart,  using  about  six  pounds  of  seed  per 
acre. 

In  about  five  days  after  the  seed  is  sown  the  field 
should  be  gone  over  with  the  weeder  to  destroy  any 
weeds  that  have  started  to  germinate  near  the  surface, 
and  again  in  three  or  four  days,  or  before  the  onions 
come  up.     Always  run  the  weeder  across  the  rows. 

After  the  onions  are  up  so  that  you  can  see  the 
rows,  cultivate  them  carefully  with  the  wheel  hoe,  using 
the  sharp  blades  that  are  made  for  that  purpose  and 
going  not  more  than  one-half  inch  deep. 

As  soon  as  any  more  weeds  appear  to  be  germinat- 
ing, go  over  the  rows  again  with  the  weeder.  The  weeder 
may  appear  to  be  doing  some  damage,  but  if  handled 
carefully  there  is  no  danger,  as  we  have  sown  an  extra 
pound  of  seed  to  allow  for  some  being  pulled  out. 

When  the  onions  are  about  four  inches  high  it  will 
probably  be  necessary  to  weed  them  once  by  hand.  This 
will  not  prove  to  be  a  tedious  job  if  the  weeder  and  wheel 
hoe  have  been  used  with  good  judgment. 

Nitrate  should  be  applied  as  follows :    One  hundred 

...  pounds   scattered   broadcast   over   the 

h  ertuizing.  ^^^^  within  a  week  after  the  seed  is  sown 

and  before  the  plants  break  through  the  ground,  and 
two  more  appHcations  broadcast  consisting  of  100 
pounds  each  at  intervals  of  two  or  three  weeks,  depend- 
ing somewhat  upon  the  appearance  of  the  plants  as  to 
growth  and  color. 

Generally  speaking,  the  Nitrate 
When  to  Apply  should  all  be  applied  during  May  and 
r^itrate.  j^^^^   though   if   a   drought   occurs   in 

July,  and  the  onions  show  signs  of  turning  yellow  at 
the  tips,  an  extra  dressing  of  50  pounds  per  acre  may  be 
applied  to  advantage.  In  a  wet  season  avoid  putting  it 
on  late,  as  it  might  aggravate  the  tendency  to  produce 
a  considerable  number  of  scullions.  It  should  only  be 
applied  when  the  plants  are  dry. 

The  onion  is  an  alkaU-loving  plant, 
Use  of  Com-  ^^^^  j-j.^  asparagus,  seems  to  have  a 

mon  bait.  peculiar  fondness  for  salt.    The  results 


of  experiments  on  widely  different  soils  show  that  it  ^^^^1°^ 

nearly  always  responds  profitably  to  an  application  of  . 

about  200  pounds  of  salt  per  acre.  This  guides  us  to  '^s 
the  choice  of  kainit  for  this  crop,  as  that  product  con- 
tains about  35  per  cent,  of  chloride  of  soda,  or  common 
salt,  which  also  aids  in  conserving  the  moisture  in  the 
soil.  Good  judgment  must  be  used,  however,  as  the 
kainit  might  have  a  harmful  effect  in  a  wet  season  on  a 
low  and  naturally  damp  soil. 

About  400  pounds  of  kainit  per  acre  should  be  used, 
as  a  rule.  It  should  be  drilled  into  the  entire  surface 
of  the  ground  early  in  the  spring  to  a  depth  of  at  least 
three  inches,  for  the  kainit  becomes  fixed  in  the  soil 
very  quickly  and  should  be  rather  deep,  so  as  not  to 
attract  the  feeding  roots  too  near  the  surface.  In  case 
wood  ashes  or  muriate  of  potash  are  used,  the- time  of 
making  the  application  should  be  the  same.  Most 
vegetables  will  give  greatly  increased  returns  from  the 
use  of  chemicals  if  lime  is  employed  in  conjunction  with 
them. 

An  application  of  75  bushels  per  acre  of  ground 
quicklime  has  also  proved  preventive  of  onion  smut. 

If  the  soil  is  a  medium  heavy  clay  upland  and  not 
acid  it  is  best  to  use  the  acid  phosphate  which  contains, 
besides  the  phosphoric  acid,  about  50  per  cent,  of  cal- 
cium sulphate  (gypsum).  This  unlocks  the  natural 
potash  in  the  soil. 

The  quantity  of  either  to  apply  on  ordinary  soils  is 
1,000  pounds  per  acre  very  early  in  the  spring,  so  that 
in  preparing  the  ground  it  will  become  very  thoroughly 
incorporated  with  the  soil  before  the  onion  seed  is 
sown. 

The  following  table  gives  the  actual  field  results 
of  six  years'  experiments  with  fertilizers  and  seven  years 
with  manures  at  the  rate  of  30  tons  per  acre: 

Manure.  Chemicals. 

Tons  per  acre,  average 8 .  90  14 .  02 

Market  value  per  ton,  average. .   $18 .  16  $20 .  52 

The  crop  grown  with  chemical  fertilizers  was  5.12 
tons  greater  per  acre,  or  a  gain  over  the  stable  manure 
of  nearly  58  per  cent.;   while  the  Nitrate  crop  averaged 


Food  for  $2.36  greater  market  value  per  ton,  an  advance  over 
^^^°^^  the  manure-grown  crop  of  13  per  cent. 


i66 


Potatoes. 

As  is  well  known  this  crop  must  have  a  deep  mel- 
low soil,  inchning  more  to  sand  than  clay.  The  soil 
must  be  fined  to  a  considerable  depth,  and  kept  free 
of  weeds  throughout  the  growing  season.  The  most 
successful  growers  use  only  commercial  fertihzers,  and 
the  amounts  applied  per  acre  range  from  200  pounds  to 
1,000  and  even  2,000.  The  fertilizer  used  should  be 
high  in  potash,  and  this  potash  should  be  of  such  form 
as  to  be  free  or  nearly  free  of  chlorine,  such  as  sulphate 
of  potash.  Early  potatoes  have  a  short  season  of 
growth,. and  the  Nitrating  action  in  the  soil  is  insufficient 
to  keep  up  a  high  pressure  of  growth  during  the  earlier 
weeks.  For  this  crop  Nitrate  of  Soda  is  indispensable, 
top-dressing  along  the  rows  as  soon  as  the  plants  are 
wefi  above  the  ground  and  at  the  rate  of  200  pounds 
per  acre.  For  fall  potatoes,  an  application  of  50  to  100 
pounds  of  Nitrate  will  be  sufficient. 

Heavy  yields  of  potatoes  can  be  secured  only  with 
good  seed.  Many  of  the  most  successful  growers  cold- 
storage  their  seed*^potatoes,  that  the  vitality  of  the  seed 
may  not  be  reduced  by  freezing  and  thawing  during 
winter.  Seed  should  be  cut  to  two  or  three  "eyes," 
and  only  tubers  of  the  best  quality  used.  The  rows 
should  be  about  three  feet  apart,  and  the  seed  dropped 

fifteen  inches  apart  in  the  rows. 
Applying  The  land  is  first  marked  and  a  fur- 

Fertilizers  for  rower  run  along  the  rows,  making  a 
Potatoes.  furrow  about  four  inches  deep.     In  this 

furrow  the  fertilizer  is  applied,  either  by  hand,  or  with 
a  distributor,  and  well  mixed  with  the  soil.  This  is 
best  done  by  running  a  cultivator  along  the  row;  or 
when  a  distributor  is  used,  an  attachment  in  the  form 
of  a  small  cultivator  can  be  made  to  do  the  work  at  one 
operation.  The  potatoes  are  then  dropped  in  the 
furrow  and  covered.  If  it  is  thought  best  to  cultivate 
both  ways,  the  land  can  be  marked  across  the  furrows 
after  the  fertilizer  is  applied. 


Several  experiments  have  been  tried  on  the  use  of  ^f°^J°^ 

Nitrate  of  Soda  as  a  top-dressing  for  early  potatoes.  

This  was  applied  at  the  rate  of  100  pounds  per  acre,      167 
after  the  potatoes  were  up  and  started  to  growing.     One 
year  this  treatment  increased  the  yield  of  merchantable 
potatoes  100  bushels  per  acre,  and  the  average  of  sev- 
eral years  was  20  per  cent,  increase. 

A  private  experimenter  obtained  results  as  below : 

1.  400    pounds    superphosphate    and    300 

pounds  sulphate  of  potash 245  bushels  per  acre. 

2.  Same  as  plot  1  with  the  addition  of  200 

pounds  of  Nitrate  of  Soda 348  bushels  per  acre. 

It  is  evident  from  the  fact  that  the  addition  of  200 
pounds  of  Nitrate  of  Soda  produced  103  bushels  more 
than  the  superphosphate  and  potash  alone,  that  pota- 
toes must  have  Nitrogen,  and  that  in  greater  quantities 
than  is  supplied  by  the  ordinary  so-called  "Complete 
Potato  Manure." 

Although  the  United  States  is  a  vastly  larger 
country  than  Germany,  we  raised  a  potato  crop  in 
1905  of  only  260,741,294  bushels,  as  compared  with  the 
potato  crop  of  1,775,579,073  bushels  which  Germany 
raised.  These  bushels  were  60  pounds  each.  The 
explanation  of  so  immense  a  production  of  potatoes 
by  Germany  is  found  in  the  fact  that  the  free  distilla- 
tion of  alcohol  for  use  in  the  arts  has  been  a  powerful 
stimulus  to  farm  industry.  Farming  in  some  districts 
of  the  empire  has  been  made  possible  only  because  of 
the  ability  of  the  people  to  produce  cheap  alcohol,  and 
many  farms  ow^e  their  very  existence  to  their  distilleries. 

Sweet  Potatoes. 

This  crop  prefers  a  soil  lighter  than  Irish  potatoes, 
but  the  preparation  of  the  soil  is  much  the  same.  It 
is  an  underground  crop,  and  must  not  have  to  mine 
room  for  its  roots.  It  should  follow  a  clean  cultivation 
crop,  and  be  kept  very  clean  itself.  Too  much  am- 
moniate  fertilizer  interferes  with  the  maturity  of  the 
crop,  producing  not  only  a  large  crop  of  useless  vines, 


Food  for  but  also  few  marketable  roots,  and  those  of  very  poor 

Plants    1  .  1.. 

keeping  quality. 

1 68  On  this  account  the  ammoniate  plant  food  applied 

should  not  be  of  the  ordinary  kind  which  becomes 
slowly  available,  and  continues  to  supply  active  Ni- 
trated ammonia  late  in  the  season,  thus  delaying 
maturity  to  such  extent  that  the  crop  is  injured  by  cold 
weather. 

The  New  Jersey  Experiment  Station  made  some 
experiments  in  Gloucester  County,  and  the  following 
table  shows  the  results : 


Experiments  with  Fertilizers  on  Sweet  Potatoes. 

Kind  of  fertilizer  and  Cost  of  Bushels  per  acre, 

quantity  per  acre.  fertilizer.      Large.  Small.         Total. 

1.  No  manure 157  51  208 

2.  320  lbs.  bone-black,  160  lbs. 

muriate  of  potash $7.70       205  36  241 

3.  200  lbs.  Nitrate  of  Soda,  320 

lbs.    bone-black,    160    lbs. 

muriate  of  potash 12 .  34       270  58  328 

4.  20  tons  stable  manure 30.00       263  61  324 

It  will  be  seen  that  the  addition  of  Nitrate  of  Soda 
to  the  bone-black  and  potash  gave  an  increase  of  65 
bushels  per  acre,  and  that  the  Nitrate,  bone-black  and 
potash,  together  costing  $12.34,  produced  a  little  larger 
yield  than  20  tons  of  manure,  costing  $30.00. 

"Another  point  of  considerable  importance,  since  it  has 
reference  to  the  salability  of  the  potatoes,  was  noticed  at  the 
time  of  digging,  viz.:  That  those  grown  with  chemical  manures 
alone  were  bright  and  smooth  of  skin,  while  at  least  one-third  of 
those  grown  with  barn-yard  manure  were  rough  and  partially 
covered  with  scurf." 

Tomatoes. 

Tomatoes  are  successfully  grown  on  all  soils, 
excepting  very  light  sand  or  a  very  heavy  clay;  with 
irrigation,  they  may  be  grown  profitably  on  light  sandy 
soils.    The  soil  must  be  plowed  deeply,  and  thoroughly 


worked.     It  is  generally  best  to  buy  plants  from  a  J°^J°' 

reputable  grower,  unless  the  crop  is  planted  on  a  large  

scale  for  canning,  in  which  case  plants  are  grown  under  '^g 
special  instructions  of  the  cannery.  The  main  feature 
in  profitable  tomato  growing  is  to  maintain  a  rapid, 
steady  grow^th.  The  soil  should  be  kept  pulverized 
at  the  surface  as  a  mulch,  for  the  crop  uses  enormous 
quantities  of  water.  The  plants  continue  bearing  until 
frost,  hence  the  earlier  fruiting  commences  the  heavier 
the  crop  through  simply  having  a  longer  period  in  bear- 
ing. Ten  tons  per  acre  is  by  no  means  an  unusual 
yield,  but  plant  food  must  be  used  with  a  free  hand. 

The  New  Jersey  Experiment  Station  made  an 
experiment  with  different  forms  of  ammoniates  on  this 
crop,  and  the  Nitrated  ammoniate  (Nitrate  of  Soda) 
not  only  produced  the  largest  crops,  but  also  the  largest 
quantity  of  "early"  tomatoes,  and  the  lowest  per  cent, 
of  culls.  The  yield  was  twelve  per  cent,  greater  than 
that  from  sulphate  of  ammonia,  and  sixty-eight  per 
cent,  greater  than  that  from  dried  blood. 

As  soon  as  the  plants  are  well  rooted,  top-dress 
with  200  to  300  pounds  of  Nitrate  of  Soda  per  acre, 
worked  into  the  soil  about  the  plants.  Farm-yard 
manure  may  be  used  on  this  crop  when  grown  for 
canning,  but  the  results  are  always  doubtful,  as  a  con- 
tinued stretch  of  dry  weather  may  injure  the  crop 
through  drying  out  the  soil  by  the  large  quantity  of 
vegetable  matter  mixed  with  it.  However  rich  the 
soil  may  be,  or  however  freely  chemical  fertilizers  may 
have  been  used,  the  top-dressing  of  Nitrate  will  be 
found  to  have  increased  the  fruiting  power  of  the  plants, 
and  to  have  also  added  to  the  flavor  and  color  of  the 
fruit. 

It  has  been  found  by  experiments  made  at  the  New 
Jersey  Experiment  Station  for  a  period  of  three  years, 
that  Nitrate  of  Soda,  apphed  when  the  plants  were  set 
out,  greatly  increased  their  grow^th  early  in  the  season 
and  produced  a  much  larger  crop  of  early  ripe  fruit 
than  either  barn-yard  manure,  "phosphates,"  or  no 
manure  at  all. 


Yield  per 
acre  in 
bushels. 

Value  of 
crop. 

613 

$208.61 

838 

300.64 

Food  for  Experiments  with  Fertilizers  on  Tomatoes. 

Plants 

^70  Kind  of  fertilizer  used  and  Cost  of 

quantity  per  acre.  fertilizer. 

1.  No  manure 

2.  160  lbs.  Nitrate  of  Soda $4.00 

3.  160  lbs.   muriate  of  potash, 

320  lbs.  bone-black 7 .  20  649  252 .  92 

4.  160  lbs.  Nitrate  of  Soda,  160 

lbs.  muriate  of  potash,  300 

lbs.  bone-black 11.20  867  301.25 

5.  20  tons  barn-yard  manure. .  .     30.00  612  218.27 

It  will  be  noticed  that  160  pounds  of  Nitrate  of 
Soda,  costing  $4,00,  made  an  increase  in  the  value  of 
the  crop  of  $92.03  per  acre  over  the  unfertilized  land, 
and  $82.37  over  the  land  where  20  tons  of  barn-yard 
manure,  costing  $30.00,  was  used.  It  will  also  be 
noticed  that  the  addition  of  phosphate  (bone-black) 
and  potash  had  little  or  no  effect.  This  does  not  indi- 
cate that  tomatoes  do  not  require  phosphoric  acid  and 
potash,  but  that  enough  of  these  elements  of  plant  food 
was  already  in  the  soil. 

The  yield  of  early  tomatoes  was  very  decidedly  increased  by 
the  use  of  Nitrate  of  Soda,  both  alone  and  together  with  phos- 
phoric acid  and  potash. 


NEW  JERSEY  EXPERIMENT  STATION. 


Bulletin  No.  91. 


Some  of  the  early  work  of  this  Station  was  with 
fertilizers  for  tomatoes.  The  results  in  detail  are  given 
in  the  Bulletin,  but  it  showed  that  Nitrate  of  Soda  was 
particularly  active  with  this  crop  and  produced  a  larger 
increase  than  any  other  single  ingredient.  An  applica- 
tion of  160  pounds  per  acre  caused  an  increase  of  as 
much  as  five  tons  of  tomatoes. 

There  has  been  much  valuable  work  conducted 
upon  the  use  of  Nitrogenous  Fertilizers  with  various 
crops,   and   particularly   vegetables.     This   work   has 


proven  that  this  plant  food  Is  a  potent  factor  In  Increas-  ^J^^J^"" 
ing  the  yields  and  improving  the  quaUty. 


Turnips  and  Swedes. 

Nitrate  is  applied  for  this  crop  quite  in  the  same 
manner  as  for  mangolds.  Dr.  Macadam  reported  to  the 
Arbroath  Farmers'  Club  a  gain  of  37  per  cent,  in  yield 
from  the  use  of  336  pounds  of  Nitrate  of  Soda  per  acre. 

An  experiment  conducted  by  Dr.  Munroe,  of  Down- 
town Agricultural  College  Sahsbury,  j^^^^^^^^  Yield, 
gave  a  return  of  nearly  twenty  and  one- 
half  tons  per  acre,  from  an  application  of  600  pounds  of 
Nitrate  per  acre,  supplemented  by  phosphoric  acid  and 
potash.  The  Nitrate  was  used  in  three  applications. 
An  application  of  300  pounds  of  Nitrate  resulted  in  a 
yield  of  thirteen  and  one-third  tons  per  acre. 


FERTILIZERS  FOR  FRUITS. 


Bulletin  66,  Hatch  Massachusetts  Experiment  Station. 

Lack  of  Nitrogen  In  the  soil  is  detrimental  to  the 
size  and  quality  of  the  fruit.  The  cheapest  and  most 
available  ammoniate  is  Nitrate  of  Soda.  A  few  cents' 
worth  applied  to  each  tree  will  give  the  largest  possible 
yield  of  choicest  fruit,  returning  many  times  its  cost. 

Fertilizers  for  the  apple :  The  results  show  the  most 
improvement  where  Nitrate  of  Soda  was  applied.  For 
apple  trees  in  grass  the  following  fertilizer  is  recom- 
mended: Nitrate  of  Soda  1  to  5  pounds,  sulphate 
of  potash  1  to  5  pounds,  S.  C.  phos- 
phate rock,  4  to  10  pounds;  the  quan-  Nitrate  of  Soda 
tity  used  to  be  varied  according  to  the  on  Apples, 
size  of  the  tree. 

Fertilizers  for   the    peach:   The  fertihzer    recom- 
mended, depending  upon  the  size  of  the        Peaches. 
trees,  is  substantially  the  same  as  for 
apples,  except  that  the  phosphate  rock  is  reduced  one-half 
for  the  earlier  stages  of  growth,  remaining  the  same  as  for 


171 


Food  for  apples  in  the  later  stages.    Nitrate  of  Soda  should  not 
^^^^^  be  applied  until  just  as  the  trees  are  beginning  to  grow. 
172  FertiHzers  for  other  fruits:  For  all 

Nitrate  of  Soda      perennial  fruits,  as  well  as  shrubs  and 
for  Fruits  plants,    the   fertilizer    used    should    be 

GeneraUy.  largely  available  in  the  early  part  of 

the  season,  as  a  preventive  to  winter  injuries.    Nitrate 
of  Soda  is  the  most  desirable  form  of  ammoniate. 

The  Rational  Use  of  Chilean  Nitrate 
in  California 

Some  time  since  horticulturists  in  convention  in 
Los  Angeles  discussed  the  question  of  the  accumulation 
of  Black  Alkali  in  the  soil. 

One  speaker  made  the  statement  that  the  use  of 
Chilean  Nitrate  would  result  in  such  alkali  accumu- 
lation—stating that  in  England  this  had  become  the 
case,  and  that  English  farmers  were  avoiding  the  use 
of  Nitrate. 

The  incorrectness  of  this  latter  statement  is  shown 
by  the  fact  that  the  use  of  Chilean  Nitrate  increases 
year  by  year  in  England,  and  it  is  coming  to  be  more 
and  more  appreciated  there,  as  well  as  on  the  continent 
of  Europe. 

In  fact,  everywhere  in  the  world  where  there  is 
progressive  and  enlightened  experiment  work,  the 
unique  qualities  of  Chilean  Nitrate  are  putting  it  ahead 
of  every  other  Nitrogenous  plant  food.  No  reputable 
authority  in  the  world  has  ever  advocated  such  large 
quantities  of  Chilean  Nitrate  per  acre  as  would  result 
in  any  abnormal  accumulation  of  alkah.  Moreover, 
the  use  of  acid  phosphates,  associated  as  they  fre- 
quently are  with  sulphate  of  lime,  converts  any  alkali 
residue  into  harmless  forms  of  soda.  Besides,  the  vast 
majority  of  soils  in  the  United  States,  probably  95  per 
cent.,  have  a  tendency  to  grow  acid  rather  than  to 
grow  alkah;  and  Chilean  Nitrate  is,  therefore,  highly 
beneficial  in  such  cases.  Chilean  Nitrate  is  really 
needed  to  help  neutralize  these  acid  residues. 

The  use  of  potash  salts  tends  to  leave  acid  jesid- 
uals,    and   when   phosphates   and    potashes   are   used 


rationally,  and  in  quantities  suitable  for  normal  plant  pf^^^^"*" 

feeding,  the  question  of  Chilean  Nitrate  leaving  ab-  

normal  amounts  of  alkali  residues  becomes  a  purely       '73 
fanciful  one,  and  is  not  worth  the  serious  attention  of 
a  practical  business  horticulturist  or  farmer. 

In  all  our  literature,  we  recommend  the  rational 
and  not  the  irrational  use  of  fertilizers;  i.  e.,  normal 
amounts  of  the  three  elements  of  fertility.  We  never 
recommend  the  use  of  Chilean  Nitrate  alone,  except 
at  the  rate  of  100  or  200  pounds  per  acre,  which  is  a 
trifling  tonnage  application;  and  we  always  advise, 
when  larger  amounts  are  used,  that  the  horticulturist 
or  farmer  use  as  much  or  more  in  quantity  of  the 
phosphates  and  potashes. 

On  the  other  hand,  as  previously  stated,  in  the 
case  of  95  per  cent,  of  our  soils,  the  use  of  acid  phos- 
phate tends  to  leave  acid  residuals,  as  sometimes  the 
potash  salts  likewise  do.  The  actual  need  of  Chilean 
Nitrate  is,  therefore,  quite  obvious. 

The  vast  majority  of  farm  lands  of  our  country, 
where  so-called  "Complete"  Fertilizers  have  been 
used,  have  the  tendency  to  become  sour  and  acid;  and 
Chilean  Nitrate  could  not  only  be  used  indefinitely 
with  an  extremely  beneficial  effect  for  this  particular 
purpose,  but  there  is  an  immediate  general  need  for  it. 
An  acre  of  ground  one  foot  deep  is  the  active 
service  part  of  the  soil,  and,  to  a  large  extent,  its 
chemical  composition  determines  its  usefulness.  This 
service  soil  weighs  on  an  average  2,000  tons  per  acre. 
There  is  enough  sulphate  of  lime  or  gypsum 
present,  as  well  as  acid,  in  the  average  acid  phosphate, 
to  materially  help  the  black  alkali  of  many  alkaline 
soils,  but  gypsum  alone  may  be  used  also  for  correcting 
alkali. 

Since  we  never  recommend  the  use  of  Chilean 
Nitrate  alone,  except  at  the  rate  of  from  one  hundred  to 
two  hundred  pounds  per  acre,  this  trifling  amount 
could  have  no  material  influence  whatever  in  increas- 
ing the  alkali  content  of  soils.  For  two  hundred 
pounds  of  Chilean  Nitrate  per  acre  is  a  mere  trifle 
for  producing  alkali,  hence  even  the  continued  use  of 
Nitrate  under  rational  methods  of  fertilizing,   would 


Food  for  not  add  to,  but  rather  diminish  the  quantity  of  alkali 
Plants  .^  ^j^^  g^.j^  £^^  ^Yie  associated  gypsum  and  acid  phos- 


174  phate  loosen  heavy  clay  soils  which  need  improvement 
in  texture. 

In  this  connection,  it  is  important  to  observe  that 
care  must  be  exercised,  in  soils  containing  black  alkali, 
to  avoid  materially  increasing  the  content  of  carbonate 
or  bi-carbonate  of  hme,  since  this  would  help  promote 
the  destruction  of  humus.  It  is,  therefore,  suggested 
for  these  particular  soils,  that  the  large  and  constant 
use  of  lime  be  avoided.  When  lime  is  needed,  have 
your  soil  examined  by  an  expert,  and  do  not  put  on  any 
more  hme  in  any  form  than  advised  for  your  particular 
case.  In  other  words,  take  good  care  to  preserve  your 
humus.  Do  not  destroy  it  by  excessive  liming  on  any 
account.  Neither  wetness  nor  stickiness  will  result 
from  the  rational  use  of  Chilean  Nitrate.  The  pro- 
ductivity of  all  soils  may  be  increased  by  the  right  use 
of  it. 

All  arid  soils  lack  nitrogen  on  account  of  having 
but  little  natural  humus  in  them,  so  the  application 
of  Chilean  Nitrate  gives  good  crop  increases. 

What  Burbank  Says: 

"After  testing  a  great  variety  of  fertilizers  on  my 
orchard  and  experimental  grounds,  I  find  that  the 
Nitrate  of  Soda  and  Thomas  slag  phosphate  have 
given  the  best  results  at  the  least  expense,  and  I  shall 
not  look  further  at  present,  as  my  trees,  bulbs,  plants, 
flowers  and  fruits  have  been,  by  the  use  of  about  150 
pounds  each  per  acre,  nearly  doubled  in  size  and  beauty 
in  almost  every  instance.  The  above-named  fertilizers 
have  more  than  doubled  the  product  of  my  soil  at  a  very 
small  outlay  per  acre. 

Where  the  Nitrate  of  Soda  is  used,  I  find  a  greatly 
increased  ability  in  trees  to  resist  drought,  and  lack  of 
cultivation." 

"  Luther  Burbank  is  the  greatest  originator  of  new 
and  valuable  forms  of  plant  life  of  this  or  any  other 
age,"  says  David  Starr  Jordan,  President  of  Leland 
Stanford  Junior  University,  California. 


Food  for 

Winter  Spraying  With   Solutions  of  Nitrate  ^^^^^ 
of  Soda  ^75 


By  W.  S.  Ballard,  Pathologist,  Fruit-Disease  Investigations, 
Bureau  of  Plant  Industry,  and  W.  H.  Volck,  County  Horticul- 
tural Commissioner  of  Santa  Cruz  County,  California. 


These  investigations  were  conducted  in  co-operation  between  the  0£Sce  of  Fruit- 
Disease  Investigations  of  the  Bureau  of  Plant  Industry  and  the  Office  of  the 
County  Horticultural  Commissioner  of  Santa  Cruz  County,  located  at  Watson ville, 
Cal.     The  writers'  names  appear  above  in  alphabetical  order. 

Introduction 

Recently  several  investigators  have  reported  re- 
sults in  shortening  the  rest  period  of  a  number  of  woody 
plants  by  immersing  the  dormant  shoots  in  weak 
nutrient  solutions  or  by  injecting  solutions  of  alcohol, 
ether,  and  various  acids  into  the  twigs.  These  experi- 
ments have  been  conducted  in  the  laboratory  with 
short  cuttings  of  the  plants.  The  effect  of  such  treat- 
ment has  been  to  force  the  dormant  buds  out  several 
days  ahead  of  the  normal  opening  period. 

During  the  last  two  years  the  writers  have  obtained 
similar  and  additional  results  on  a  much  larger  scale 
by  spraying  dormant  fruit  trees  with  strong  solutions  of 
certain  commercial  fertilizers,  especially  Nitrate  of 
Soda.  Since  these  experiments  have  been  conducted 
on  the  entire  trees  in  the  orchard,  it  has  been  possible 
to  observe  the  effects  throughout  the  whole  season. 
The  investigations  have  not  yet  been  carried  far  enough 
to  permit  drawing  any  conclusions  regarding  the 
physiologic  action  of  such  spraying,  but  because  of  its 
practical  value  these  preliminary  results  seem  deserving 
of  attention  at  this  time. 

Experiments  in  1912 

In  the  course  of  the  investigations  of  the  writers 
on  the  control  of  apple  powdery  mildew  in  the  Pajaro 
Valley,  Cal.,  it  became  evident  that  the  general  vigor 
of  the  tree  and  the  thriftiness  of  the  foliage  growth 
had  much  to  do  with  the  success  of  the  summer  spray- 
ing treatment  for  the  control  of  the  mildew,  and  after 


Food  for  a  number  of  experiments  in  applying  plant-food  ma- 
^^^"*^  terials  to  the  foliage  in  the  form  of  summer  sprays,  and 


176  after  seeing  that  certain  crude-oil  emulsions  used  as 
dormant  sprays  had  a  marked  effect  in  stimulating  an 
increased  vigor  of  the  trees  the  following  spring,  it  was 
decided  to  try  the  effect  of  a  strong  solution  of  Nitrate 
of  Soda  as  a  winter  or  dormant  spray.  Caustic  potash 
(potash  lye)  was  also  added  for  the  purpose  of  giving 
the  spray  an  insecticide  value.  The  mixture  was  pre- 
pared according  to  the  following  formula: 

Nitrate  of  soda 50  pounds 

Caustic  potash V  pounds 

Water 50  gallons 

The  experiment  was  conducted  in  a  Yellow  Bell- 
flower  apple  orchard  owned  by  Mr.  O.  D.  Stoesser,  of 
Watsonville,  Cal.  This  orchard  is  situated  about  5 
miles  from  the  ocean  shore  and  is  in  a  district  that  is 
more  subject  to  ocean  fogs  and  trade  winds  than  is 
the  main  portion  of  the  Pajaro  Valley.  It  is  a  common 
characteristic  of  the  numerous  orchards  of  Yellow  Bell- 
flower  apples  of  this  particular  district  that  they  bloom 
abundantly,  but  set  only  a  partial  crop.  The  trees 
are  on  a  deep  sedimentary  soil  and  grow  well. 

Seven  12-year-old  trees  were  sprayed  on  February 
2,  1912.  The  application  was  very  thoroughly  made, 
so  that  all  of  the  small  twigs  were  drenched.  About 
7  gallons  of  spray  solution  were  applied  to  each  tree. 
Adjoining  this  row  on  one  side  was  a  check  row  of  seven 
trees  which  received  no  winter  spraying,  and  on  the 
other  side  were  several  rows  of  seven  trees  each  which 
received  various  applications  of  crude-oil  emulsions 
and  soaps.  For  the  purpose  of  gaining  some  idea  of 
the  effect  of  Nitrate  of  Soda  used  as  a  fertihzer,  50 
pounds  were  appHed  as  a  surface  dressing  to  one  vig- 
orous tree  selected  from  the  row  adjoining  the  Nitrate- 
sprayed  row.  This  fertilizer  was  later  plowed  in  and 
washed  down  by  the  rains. 

Effects  on  Blossoming  and  on  the  Foliage 

Notes  taken  at  the  time  the  trees  were  coming 
out  in  the  spring  show  the  following  results: 


April  7,  1912.     Trees  in  the  row  sprayed  with  Nitrate  of  Soda  |j°^tf*"" 

and  lye  are  well  in  bloom,  while  those  in  the  check  row  adjoining 

and  in  the  remainder  of  the  unsprayed  orchard  are  showing  only        177 
an  occasional  flower  fully  opened. 

April  14,  1912.  The  relative  advancement  of  the  row  sprayed 
with  a  solution  of  Nitrate  of  Soda  and  lye  and  the  check  plat 
is  the  same  as  noted  on  April  7.  The  Nitrate-sprayed  trees  are 
nearly  in  full  bloom,  whereas  comparatively  few  blossoms  have 
opened  on  the  check  plat. 

When  the  check  row  had  reached  full  bloom,  the  row  sprayed 
with  a  solution  of  Nitrate  of  Soda  and  lye  was  practically  out  of 
bloom. 

Thus,  the  Nitrate  spraying  advanced  the  blossom- 
ing time  about  two  weeks  ahead  of  the  normal  period. 
It  is  characteristic  of  the  Yellow  Bellflower  variety  of 
apples  in  the  Pajaro  Valley  that  the  foliage  buds  come 
out  early,  so  that  by  the  time  the  full-bloom  period  is 
reached  the  trees  are  showing  a  considerable  amount 
of  young  foliage.  The  Nitrate  spraying  produced  a 
change  in  this  respect.  While  the  flower  buds  were 
greatly  stimulated  in  coming  out,  the  foliage  buds  were 
not  so  much  affected,  and  the  result  was  that  when 
the  trees  sprayed  with  a  solution  of  Nitrate  of  Soda 
and  lye  were  in  full  bloom  and  two  weeks  in  advance 
of  the  check  trees  in  that  regard,  their  foliage  condition 
was  relatively  nearer  that  of  the  check.  Plate  L  shows 
the  comparative  stages  of  the  Nitrate-sprayed  and  the 
check  trees  at  that  time.  A  decided  contrast  will  be 
seen  in  the  relative  advancement  of  the  bloom  on  the 
tree  sprayed  with  Nitrate  of  Soda  (PL  L,  fig.  1)*  as  com- 
pared with  the  check  tree  (PI.  L,  fig.  2).*  This  contrast 
is  shown  more  in  detail  in  Plate  LI,  in  which  figure  1 
shows  a  branch  from  a  Nitrate-sprayed  tree,  while 
figure  2  shows  one  from  a  check  tree.  Both  branches 
were  collected  on  the  same  day.  An  examination  of 
the  figures  in  Plate  L  will  show^  that  the  advancement 
of  the  foliage^on^the  Nitrate-sprayed  tree  is  compara- 
tively less  marked  than  that'of  the  bloom.  This  same 
condition  is  shown  in  detail  in  Plate  LI,  in  which  it 
will  be  seen  that  there  is  relatively  httle  difference  in 
the  advancement  of  the  fohage  of  the  sprayed  and 
unsprayed  branches.     Later  in  the  spring,  however,  the 

*  For  plates,  see  original  article. 


Food  for  effect  on  foliage  growth  became  more  pronounced,  and 


Plants 


the  sprayed  trees  assumed  a  more  vigorous,  green  appear- 
^78      ance  than  the  check  trees.     The  single  tree  that  re- 
ceived the  50  pounds  of  Nitrate  of  Soda  applied  to  the 
soil  showed  no  greater  vigor  than  the  check  trees. 

Both  the  row  sprayed  with  Nitrate  of  Soda  and 
the  check  row  received  summer  sprayings  directed 
toward  the  control  of  apple  powdery  mildew  and  of 
codling  moth  and  various  other  insect  pests.  While  the 
treatment  of  the  two  rows  was  not  the  same,  there  was 
no  essential  difference  in  the  results — that  is,  the  crop 
loss  from  codling  moth  and  other  insect  pests  did  not 
exceed  1  per  cent,  on  either  plat  and  there  was  no  dam- 
age to  the  fruit  from  summer  spraying.  It  is  therefore, 
evident  that  the  difference  which  showed  up  in  the  crop 
production  of  the  two  rows  must  be  attributed  to  the 
winter  Nitrate  spraying. 

Crop  Results 

The  check  row  of  seven  trees,  which  received  no 
winter  spraying  but  which  was  properly  protected  by 
summer  sprayings,  produced  8  loose  boxes  of  fruit  at 
picking  time.  On  the  other  hand,  the  adjoining  row, 
sprayed  in  February  with  the  solution  of  Nitrate  of  Soda 
plus  lye,  produced  a  total  of  a  little  over  40  boxes. 
Thus,  the  winter  Nitrate  spraying  increased  the  crop 
production  to  fully  five  times  that  of  the  unsprayed 
row.  Similar  adjacent  plats,  which  were  winter- 
sprayed  with  various  crude-oil  emulsions  and  soap 
sprays,  produced  crops  varying  from  5  to  9  boxes 
per  plat.  The  single  tree  which  received  the  50  pounds 
of  Nitrate  of  Soda  applied  as  a  fertilizer  gave  no  in- 
creased produc<tion,  whereas  none  of  the  trees  in  the 
Nitrate-sprayed  row  failed  to  respond. 

Regarding  the  single,  heavily  fertilized  tree,  it 
might  be  stated  that  in  addition  to  its  showing  no  in- 
crease in  production,  the  tree  bloomed  no  earlier  than 
normal,  there  was  no  improvement  in  the  growth  and 
no  change  in  its  general  appearance  throughout  the 
growing  season  of  1912,  and  in  the  spring  of  1913  it 
came  out  normally  and  not  differently  from  the  other 
trees  in  the  same  row,  being  one  of  the  trees  in  a  check 


plat.     The  tree  is  still  in  normal  condition  and  shows  ^J^^^°' 

no  noticeable  effect  from  the  heavy  fertilizing.     The ■ 

orchard  is  not   irrigated,    and   the   rainfall   has  been       179 
much  less  than  normal  during  the  last  two  years. 

Attention  might  again  be  called  to  the  conditions 
under  which  these  results  were  obtained^namely, 
thrifty-growing  trees  in  a  deep  residual  soil  and  having 
the  characteristic  of  blooming  abundantly  each  year 
but  setting  only  a  shy  crop.  Even  the  40  boxes  pro- 
duced by  the  Nitrate  spraying  does  not  represent  the 
full  crop  that  such  trees  should  bear,  but  the  fourfold 
increase  much  more  than  paid  for  the  cost  of  spraying, 
and  the  possibility  remains  of  still  further  increasing 
that  production  by  similar  treatment  in  following  years. 

Experiments  in  1913 

The  one  small  experiment  on  seven  trees  in  1912 
did  not  furnish  sufficient  grounds  for  drawing  any  gen- 
eral conclusions  as  to  the  applicability  of  winter  Nitrate 
spraying,  but  the  striking  results  obtained  opened  a 
wide  field  of  inquiry.  For  instance,  potash  lye  was 
added  to  the  solution  of  Nitrate  of  Soda  in  the  experi- 
ment of  1912,  so  the  questions  arise  as  to  whether  the 
lye  was  necessary  and  whether  an  acid  medium  would 
increase  or  decrease  the  effect  of  the  Nitrate  of  Soda; 
also,  would  a  weaker  Nitrate  solution  prove  as  effective 
and  would  other  nitrogen-bearing  fertilizer  materials, 
such  as  lime  Nitrate,  hme  cyanamid,  and  sulphate  of 
ammonia,  give  similar  results.^  Following  along  this 
line  it  would  be  interesting  to  know  what  effect,  if  any, 
the  other  fertilizer  elements,  potash  and  phosphoric 
acid,  might  have  when  applied  as  sprays,  and  finally, 
what  results  might  be  obtained  from  a  similar  applica- 
tion of  other  substances  not  ordinarily  considered  as 
having  any  particular  fertihzer  value. 

Experiments  intended  to  answer  these  and  a  num- 
ber of  other  more  or  less  important  questions  were 
started  in  February,  1913,  in  the  same  orchard  in  which 
the  previous  year's  work  was  done.  Eleven  13-year- 
old  trees  were  used  in  each  plat.  A  frost  occurred  at 
the  time  the  fruit  was  setting  which  ruined  the  crop 
and  made  it  impossible  to  obtain  results  in  crop  pro- 


Food  for  duction.     Data  were  obtained,  however,  on  the  effect 
^^^°^^  of  the  various  sprays  on  the  blossoming  of  the  trees 
1 80      in  the  spring,  and  the  notes  taken  may  be  summarized 
as  follows: 

The  plats  sprayed  with  Nitrate  of  Soda  at  the  rate 
of  1  pound  to  the  gallon  came  into  bloom  earlier  than 
the  check  trees,  just  as  they  had  done  in  1912.     This 
effect  was  more  marked  in  the  cases  in  which  lye  was 
added   to   the   Nitrate   solution   than   when   the  plain 
water  solution  was  used — that  is,  the  addition  of  lye 
in  the  proportion  of  16  pounds  of  caustic  soda  in  100 
gallons  of  spray  solution  increased  the  action  of  the 
Nitrate    of    Soda    in    bringing    the    trees    out   earher. 
Caustic  soda  appeared  to  be  just  as  effective  as  caustic 
potash.     Nitrate  of  Soda  used  at  the  rate  of  half  a 
pound  to  the  gallon,  either  with  or  without  the   addi- 
tion of  lye,  was  not  nearly  so  effective  as  a  solution  of 
1  pound  to  the  gallon.     A  solution  of  one-fourth  of  a 
pound  to  the  gallon,  with  lye  added,  had  practically  no 
effect.     Nitrate  of  Soda,  at  the  rate  of  1  pound  to  the 
gallon,  to  which  oxahc  acid  was  added  in  the  proportion 
of  50  pounds  to  125  gallons  of  solution,  produced  re- 
sults similar  to  Nitrate  of  Soda  plus  lye,  so  far  as  the 
effect  of  hastening  the  blooming  period  is  concerned. 
Lime  Nitrate,  180  pounds  in  100  gallons  of  water,  and 
hme  cyanamid,   92  pounds  in   100   gallons  of  water, 
stimulated  an  earlier  blooming  of  the  trees,  and  subse- 
quent experiments  will  probably  put  these  substances 
in  a  class  with  Nitrate  of  Soda.     Normal  Yellow  Bell- 
flower  apple  blossoms  have  considerable  pink  color, 
and  it  was  interesting  to  note  that  when  the  trees  sprayed 
with  the  lime  cyanamid  came  into  bloom  the  flowers 
were  nearly  white.     The  effects  from  sulphate  of  am- 
monia were  not  nearly  so  marked  as  those  from  Nitrate 
of    Soda.     These    various    nitrogen-bearing    fertilizer 
substances  were  used   in  such   strengths   as   to  carry 
relatively  the  same  quantities  of  nitrogen  per  gallon. 
Sulphate  of  potash  had  some  effect  in  stimulating  an 
early  blooming,  but  double  superphosphate  did  not. 
Of  a  number  of  other  substances  tried,  common  salt 
used  at  the  rate  of  68  pounds  to  100  gallons  of  water 
produced  a  distinct  effect. 


;8i 


It  will  be  borne  in  mind  that  the  above  remarks  If^J*"" 

apply  simply  to  the  effects  of  the  various  sprays  in 

causing  an  earlier  blooming  of  the  trees,  but  since  this 
early  blooming  was  a  striking  characteristic  of  the 
Nitrate-sprayed  trees  of  1912,  which  showed  a  fourfold 
increase  in  production,  it  seems  permissible  to  con- 
clude that  this  effect  on  the  fruit  buds  is  some  criterion 
of  what  might  have  been  expected  in  the  way  of  crop 
increase  had  not  the  fruit  been  lost  by  frost. 

The  row  of  seven  trees  used  in  the  Nitrate  experi- 
ment of  1912  was  left  unsprayed  this  last  season  for 
the  purpose  of  determining  whether  the  Nitrate  effect 
would  continue  to  the  second  year.  It  was  noticed 
that  the  fruit  buds  on  these  trees  were  particularly 
large  and  plump,  and  somewhat  unexpectedly  at  blos- 
soming time  these  trees  came  into  bloom  several  days 
ahead  of  the  check  rows.  The  bloom  came  out  very 
uniformly  all  over  the  trees,  whereas  ordinarily  it  is 
considerably  delayed  on  the  windward  side.  Also,  the 
individual  blossoms  were  conspicuously  larger  than 
those  of  any  other  plat,  and,  so  far  as  could  be  judged 
at  the  time' the  frost  occurred,  a  good  crop  was  setting 
all  over  the  trees.  Thus,  it  appears  that  this  effect 
of  the  Nitrate  of  Soda  had  continued  over  to  the  second 
year. 

At  present,  all  things  considered,  the  best  results 
have  been  obtained  by  using  a  mixture  made  up  as 
follows : 

Nitrate  of  Soda 200  pounds 

Caustic  Soda 25  pounds 

Water 200  gallons 

In  preparing  this  solution  the  required  quantity 
of  water  was  placed  in  the  spray  tank  and  the  agitator 
started.  When  the  water  was  in  motion,  the  required 
weight  of  Nitrate  of  Soda  was  added  gradually.  Any 
large  lumps  were  first  broken  up  into  pieces  about  the 
size  of  hen's  eggs.  The  caustic  soda  was  then  added, 
and  in  about  15  minutes  from  the  time  the  preparation 
was  begun  the  mixture  was  ready  for  applying. 

The  trees  were  very  thoroughly  sprayed  on  all 
sides,  so  that  all  of  the  small  twigs  were  drenched.     The 


Food  for  best  results  so  far  obtained  have  come  from  the  spray- 
^^^^^^  ing  apphed  about  the  1st  of  February.  Of  course, 
182  weather  conditions  must  be  taken  into  consideration. 
A  rain  immediately  following  the  application  will  wash 
much  of  the  material  off  of  the  trees,  and  it  is  probable 
that  at  least  a  week  of  clear  weather  should  follow  the 
spraying,  in  order  to  insure  good  results. 

In  all  of  this  work  on  spraying  a  solution  of  Ni- 
trate of  Soda  on  the  trees  a  considerable  quantity  fell 
to  the  ground,  and  the  question  will  be  raised  as  to 
whether  the  various  effects  observed  have  not  been 
simply  the  result  of  the  fertilizer  action  of  the  Nitrate 
on  the  soil.  About  7  gallons  of  the  solution  were  used 
in  spraying  each  tree,  and  if  the  whole  of  this  had  gone 
on  the  ground  it  would  have  amounted  to  about  7 
pounds  of  Nitrate  of  Soda  per  tree.  The  single  tree  in 
1912  that  had  the  50  pounds  of  Nitrate  applied  to  the 
soil,  therefore,  received  over  seven  times  the  total 
quantity  applied  to  any  single  sprayed  tree.  As  has 
been  previously  stated,  this  single,  excessively  fertilized 
tree  bloomed  no  earlier  than  normal,  produced  no  in- 
creased crop,  and  showed  no  improvement  in  general 
vigor  and  appearance;  whereas,  none  of  the  trees  in 
the  sprayed  plat  failed  to  respond  in  all  of  these  par- 
ticulars. Of  course,  this  single  tree  test  in  the  appli- 
cation of  Nitrate  to  the  soil  is  too  small  an  experiment 
to  permit  concluding  positively  that  the  effects  that 
we  have  reported  from  the  spraying  experiments  are 
of  an  entirely  different  nature  and  belong  in  a  different 
category  from  those  produced  by  the  ordinary  soil 
application  of  Nitrate.  A  careful  consideration  of  the 
results  of  ordinary  orchard  practice  in  fertilizing  seems  to 
make  it  plain  that  there  is  no  similarity  between  them 
and  the  results  from  spraying.  For  instance,  in  the 
usual  practice  of  applying  Nitrate  of  Soda  as  a  fertilizer 
to  apple  orchards  in  the  region  of  Watson ville,  Cal.,  a 
winter  or  early  spring  application  does  not  force  the 
bloom  out  10  days  or  2  weeks  ahead  of  the  normal  open- 
ing period  and  has  had  no  measurable  effect  in  increas- 
ing the  set  of  fruit  that  same  year.  The  fact  that  the 
addition  of  caustic  soda  or  oxahc  acid  to  the  Nitrate 
spray     augments    these    various    effects    further   em- 


phasizes  the  difference  between  the  results  from  spray-  pJ^^J^*" 

ing  and  the  ordinary  results  from  the  application  of 

fertilizer.     Caustic-soda   solution   alone   applied   as   a      ^^3 
spray  has  no  effect  on  the  time  of  blooming  or  the  crop 
production. 

Experiments  of  Growers  in  1913 
Yellow  Bellflower  Apples 

During  the  past  season  a  number  of  growers  made 
more  or  less  extensive  tests  of  the  spraying  with  Nitrate 
of  Soda.  An  aggregate  of  several  hundred  acres  of 
Yellow  Bellflower  apples  was  sprayed  with  Nitrate  of 
of  Soda  plus  caustic  soda,  but  practically  all  of  this 
acreage  was  in  the  same  district  in  which  the  writer's 
experiments  were  conducted,  so  the  crop  was  lost  by 
frost.  It  was  noticeable  during  the  past  summer, 
however,  that  the  foliage  in  such  orchards  as  received 
very  thorough  winter  Nitrate  sprayings  had  a  better 
appearance  than  in  years  past,  due  apparently  to  the 
effect  of  the  Nitrate.  One  orchard,  that  of  MacDonald 
&  Sons,  is  located  in  a  district  that  practically  escaped 
frost  damage,  and  the  results  obtained  indicated  a 
marked  crop  increase  in  consequence  of  the  spraying. 
The  entire  orchard,  with  the  exception  of  a  few  trees, 
was  sprayed  with  various  combinations  of  Nitrate  of 
Soda  and  lye,  and,  while  no  exact  data  on  the  produc- 
tion of  the  unsprayed  trees  as  compared  with  the  rest 
of  the  orchard  was  obtained,  the  amount  of  fruit  on  the 
trees  indicated  that  the  spraying  had  produced  a 
marked  increase.  This  conclusion  was  more  reliablj^ 
substantiated  by  comparing  the  total  orchard  produc- 
tion this  year  with  that  of  previous  years. 

Sweet  Cherries 

Mr.  A.  W.  Taite,  of  Watsonville,  spraj^ed  portions 
of  two  blocks  of  Napoleon  (Royal  Ann)  cherries  with 
Nitrate  of  Soda,  1  pound  to  the  gallon,  to  which  caustic 
soda  was  added  at  the  rate  of  25  pounds  to  200  gallons. 
Unsprayed  rows  adjoining  the  sprayed  ones  were  left 
in  each  block.  In  one  case  the  sprayed  trees  were  dis- 
tinctly advanced  over  the  check  trees  in  coming  into 


Food  for  bloom.     In  both  cases  there  was  an  increase  in  the 

^Plants  f^j-^gg  growth  and  a  consequent  improvement  in  the 

184       appearance  of  the  trees.     No  effect  on  crop  production 

could  be  noticed,  though  it  is  possible  that  treatment 

in  successive  years  may  bring  such  results. 

Pears 
For  our  observations  on  pears  the  writers  are  in- 
debted chiefly  to  Mr.  George  Reed,  of  San  Jose,  who 
carried  out  extensive  tests  in  the  orchards  of  the  J.  Z. 
&  G.  H.  Anderson  Fruit  Co.  The  spraying  was  done 
about  the  1st  of  February  and  the  following  notes  are 
taken  largely  from  Mr.  Reed's  observations: 

Clairgeau.— Four  rows  of  about  40  trees  each  were  sprayed 
with  commercial  lime-sulphur  (33  %  Baume)  diluted  1  to  9.  Ad- 
joining these  were  four  rows  sprayed  with  lime-sulphur  solution 
diluted  1  to  9  and  to  which  was  added  Nitrate  of  Soda  at  the  rate 
of  1  pound  to  the  gallon  of  the  diluted  spray.  The  rows  sprayed 
with  the  combined  solution  of  Nitrate  of  Soda  and  lime-sulphu  • 
came  into  bloom  about  a  week  ahead  of  those  that  received  the 
lime-sulphur  solution  alone.  The  development  of  the  fruit  on 
these  Nitrate-lime-sulphur  solution  rows  continued  to  show  an 
advancement  of  about  a  week  throughout  half  the  growing  season, 
and  at  picking  time  the  fruit  was  greener  and  hung  on  better  than 
that  of  the  plain  lime-sulphur-solution  rows.  Both  plats  bore  a 
full  crop,  so  there  was  no  opportunity  for  observing  any  effect  on 
production.  The  Clairgeau  variety  blooms  early,  and  the  further 
advancement  due  to  Nitrate  spraying  might  result  in  frost  injury 
in  some  localities.  The  fruit  ordinarily  has  a  habit  of  dropping 
off  during  the  latter  part  of  the  growing  season.  This  difficulty, 
however,  was  largely  eliminated  on  the  Nitrate-sprayed  rows. 

CoMiCE.— The  major  portion  of  the  block  was  sprayed  with  a 
plain  water  solution  of  Nitrate  of  Soda  at  the  rate  of  1  pound  to  the 
gallon.  A  small  portion  was  sprayed  with  commercial  lime-sulphur 
solution,  diluted  1  to  9,  with  Nitrate  of  Soda  added  at  the  rate  of 
1  pound  to  the  gallon  of  diluted  spray.  Through  a  misunderstand- 
ing the  men  doing  the  spraying  left  no  check  rows  in  this  block, 
so  that  crop  data  could  not  be  obtained.  However,  Mr.  Reed's 
exact  knowledge  of  the  previous  production  of  this  block  as  a 
whole  indicates  that  the  marked  increased  production  this  last 
season  was  more  than  probably  due  to  the  Nitrate  spraying.  The 
Comice  is  a  relatively  shy  bearer,  and  a  valuable  pear  commer- 
cially, so  that  any  increased  production  that  could  be  obtained  by 
Nitrate  spraying  would  be  much  appreciated  by  the  grower.  One 
portion  of  the  block  that  regularly  produces  less  than  the  remainder 
gave  a  good  crop  this  year,  and  it  appeared  that  the  addition  of  the 
lime-sulphur  solution   augmented   the   effect   of    the   Nitrate   of 


Soda  just  as  the  addition  of  lye  has  done  in  the  experiments  of  the  ^f^^J®*" 
writers.  


Glout  Morceau. — ^A  block  of  Glout  Morceau  pears  was  '^5 
sprayed  with  the  combination  of  lime-sulphur  solution,  diluted 
1  to  9,  plus  Nitrate  of  Soda  1  pound  to  the  gallon  of  diluted  spray. 
This  block  had  never  produced  a  full  crop,  and  while  no  unsprayed 
checks  were  left,  the  increased  production  would  appear  to  be  due 
to  the  Nitrate  spraying. 

Winter  Nelis. — A  block  of  Winter  Nelis  pears  was  sprayed 
with  a  solution  of  Nitrate  of  Soda  1  pound  to  the  gallon  of  water. 
No  lime-sulphur  solution  was  added  in  this  case.  No  check  rows 
were  left,  and  a  frost  destroyed  a  large  percentage  of  the  fruit  after 
it  had  set.  However,  at  that  time  the  trees  were  carrying  the 
largest  crop  they  had  ever  produced,  and  again  it  would  appear 
that  the  Nitrate  spraying  had  had  a  beneficial  effect.  The  trees 
came  into  bloom  about  10  days  ahead  of  normal  opening  period. 

Discussion  on  Results  and  Summary 

It  is  not  the  writers'  intention  to  convey  the  im- 
pression that  dormant  spraying  with  Nitrate  solutions 
will  solve  the  problem  of  shy  bearing  of  fruit  trees  nor 
offer  a  more  advisable  method  of  applying  nitrogen 
fertilizer.  The  purpose  of  this  paper  is  simply  to 
present  the  results  as  they  now  stand. 

It  is  evident  that,  at  least  under  certain  conditions, 
some  varieties  of  apples  and  pears  that  are  more  or  less 
self-sterile  may  have  their  crop  production  materially 
increased  by  dormant  spraying  with  solutions  of  Nitrate 
of  Soda  phis  lye.  The  combination  of  a  solution  of 
Nitrate  of  Soda  and  hme-sulphur  is  apparently  capable 
of  bringing  similar  results. 

Actual  quantitative  data  on  increased  production 
from  spraying  with  a  solution  of  Nitrate  of  Soda  are 
available  from  only  one  source,  that  of  the  first  experi- 
ment on  Yellow  Bellflower  apples  in  1912.  No  pro- 
duction records  were  obtainable  from  the  various  tests 
made  by  growers  during  the  season  of  1913  but  the 
one  test  on  Yellow  Bellflower  apples  and  several  others 
on  pears  indicate  that  such  an  increase  had  undoubtedly 
been  brought  about.  It  is  considered  that  the  growers' 
knowledge  of  the  crops  of  the  previous  j^ears  as  com- 
pared with  that  of  this  year  furnishes  a  basis  for  con- 
clusions that  are  at  least  corroborative. 


Food  for  That  Nitrate  spraying  of  dormant  trees  will  bring 

^^^""^^  about  an  earlier  blooming  of  certain  varieties  of  fruit 
1 86  is  a  satisfactorily  established  fact,  which  has  been  dem- 
onstrated on  Yellow  Bellflower  apples  at  Watsonville, 
CaL,  and  on  various  varieties  of  pears  at  San  Jose,  San 
Juan,  and  Suisun,  CaL,  during  the  past  season.  How 
generally  this  statement  will  apply  to  other  varieties 
of  apples  and  pears  and  in  other  localities  remains  to 
be  determined.  Results  on  stone  fruits  have  not  been 
as  striking  as  those  on  pears  and  apples,  but  it  is  pos- 
sible that  stronger  solutions,  earlier  spraying,  or  a 
repetition  of  the  spraying  in  successive  years  may  bring 
about  such  results. 

The  greater  danger  of  injury  from  frost  that 
might  result  from  forcing  trees  into  bloom  earlier  than 
normal  would  have  to  be  taken  into  consideration  in 
making  practical  use  of  Nitrate  spraying  in  winter. 

Aside  from  the  effect  on  crop  production,  there 
has  also  been  a  very  noticeable  improvement  in  the 
color,  abundance,  and  vigor  of  the  foliage,  and  it  seems 
possible  that  Nitrate  spraying  of  dormant  trees  may 
be  a  valuable  supplement  to  the  ordinary  fertilizer 
practices  in  obtaining  quick  results  in  orchards  suffer- 
ing from  lack  of  nitrogen. 

The  writers  will  make  no  attempt  at  present  to 
explain  the  peculiar  effect  of  Nitrate  of  Soda  in  increas- 
ing the  production  of  more  or  less  self -sterile  varieties  of 
fruits,  or  in  improving  foliage  growth.  The  similarity 
between  the  writers'  results  in  forcing  dormant  buds 
by  winter  Nitrate  spraying  and  the  results  obtained  by 
other  investigators  by  treating  cuttings  with  various 
weak  solutions  has  been  mentioned.  In  experiments 
of  the  writers,  however,  a  more  or  less  lasting  effect  on 
the  vigor  of  the  foliage  and  also  some  valuable  results 
in  increasing  crop  production  have  been  obtained.  It 
furthermore  appears  that  the  effects  obtained  by 
spraying  with  a  solution  of  Nitrate  of  Soda  may  con- 
tinue over  to  the  second  year,  as  shown  by  the  original 
plat  of  1912,  which  was  left  unsprayed  in  the  winter  of 
1913. 

The  effects  of  the  Nitrate  spraying  seem  to  be  pro- 
portional to  the  strength  of  the  solution  employed  and 


the  thoroughness  with  which  it  is  appHed.     The  addi-  ^J^J''' 
tion  of  caustic  soda  materially  increases  this  action. 


187 


Small   Fruits. 

Under  this  head  we  treat  of  blackberries,  currants, 
gooseberries  and  raspberries.  Strawberries  are  treated 
separately.  All  these  small  fruits  are  commonly  grown 
in  the  garden,  generally  under  such  conditions  that 
systematic  tillage  is  not  practicable.  For  this  reason 
such  plant  food  essentials  as  may  exist  naturally  in  the 
soil  become  available  to  the  uses  of  the  plants  very  slow- 
ly. This  is  true  of  the  decomposition  of  animal  or 
vegetable  ammoniates  as  of  phosphates  and  potashes. 
Consequently,  small  fruits  in  the  garden  suffer  from 
lack  of  sufficient  plant  food.  All  these  plants  when 
planted  in  gardens  are  usually  set  in  rows  four  feet 
apart,  the  plants  about  three  feet  apart  in  the  rows; 
about  4,200  plants  to  an  acre.  In  field  culture,  black- 
berries are  usually  set  four  feet  apart  each  way. 

So  far  as  possible,  small  fruits  should  be  cultivated 
in  the  early  spring,  and  all  dead  canes  removed.  Work 
into  the  soil  along  the  rows  from  300  to  600  pounds  of 
phosphate  and  potash;  when  the  plants  are  in  full  leaf, 
broadcast  along  the  rows  from  200  to  400  pounds  of 
Nitrate  of  Soda,  and  work  in  with  a  rake.  If  at  any 
time  before  August  the  vines  show  a  tendency  to  drop 
leaves,  or  stop  growing,  apply  more  Nitrate.  Small 
fruits  must  have  a  steady,  even  growth;  in  most  cases 
unsatisfactory  results  can  be  directly  traced  to  irregular 
feeding  of  the  plants.  In  field  culture,  the  crop  must 
be  tilled  quite  the  same  as  for  corn ;  in  the  garden  in 
very  dry  weather  irrigation  should  be  used  if  possible. 
The  yield  per  acre  is  very  heavy,  and,  of  course,  the 
plants  must  be  given  plant  food  in  proportion. 

Raspberries,  Currants,  Gooseberries. 

Sow  broadcast,  in  the  fall,  a  mixture  of,  say,  350 
pounds  of  superphosphate  and  100  pounds  muriate  of 
potash  per  acre.  This  can  be  done,  if  the  rows  are 
six  feet  apart,  by  sowing  a  large  handful  at  every  two 


Food  for  steps  on  each  side  of  the  row.  Raspberries  and  goose- 
^^^^^  berries  should  have  a  small  handful,  and  currants  a 
1 88  large  handful  to  each  bush.  This  should  be  cultivated 
in,  if  possible,  early  in  the  spring.  Sow  Nitrate  of 
Soda  in  the  same  way.  It  will  pay  to  put  on  as  much 
Nitrate  as  you  did  superphosphate  and  potash,  but  if 
you  do  not  want  to  put  on  so  much,  use  smaller  hand- 
fuls.  If  the  superphosphate  and  potash  have  not  been 
applied  in  the  fall,  sow  the  mixture  in  the  spring  at 
the  same  time  the  Nitrate  is  sown  and  cultivate  it 
in,  early. 

Strawberries. 

This  plant  requires  a  moist  soil,  but  not  one  water- 
logged at  any  time  of  the  year.  A  light  clay  loam,  or  a 
sandy  loam  is  preferable.  There  are  several  methods  of 
cultivation,  but  the  matted  row  is  generally  found  more 
profitable  than  the  plan  of  growing  only  in  hills.  While 
some  growers  claim  that  one  year's  crop  is  all  that  should 
be  harvested  before  ploughing  down  for  potatoes,  as  a 
matter  of  fact  the  common  practice  is  to  keep  the  bed 
for  at  least  two  harvests.  In  selecting  plants,  care  should 
be  exercised  to  see  that  pistillate  plants  are  not  kept 
too  much  by  themselves,  or  the  blossoms  will  prove 
barren.  The  crop  is  a  heavy  consumer  of  plant  food, 
and  the  soil  cannot  be  made  too  rich.  Farmyard  manure 
should  never  be  used  after  the  plants  are  set  out,  as  the 
Aveed  seeds  contained  therein  will  give  much  trouble, 
especially  as  the  horse  hoe  is  of  Httle  use  in  the  beds. 
Use  from  400  to  800  pounds  of  phosphate,  applied 
broadcast  immediately  after  harvest;  in  the  spring,  as 
soon  as  the  strawberry  leaves  show  the  bright,  fresh 
green  of  new  growth,  apply  broadcast  200  pounds  of 
Nitrate  of  Soda  to  the  acre.  In  setting 
Strawberries.  ^^^   ^  ^^^  ^^^^   scatter   the   fertilizer 

along  the  rows  and  cultivate  in,  before  the  plants  are 
set  out. 

It  is  well  to  scatter  the  fertilizers  for  a  foot  on  each 
side  of  the  rows  so  that  the  runners  will  have  something 
to  feed  upon.  In  the  spring,  sow  Nitrate  of  Soda  on  the 
bed  broadcast  at  the  rate  of  about  200  pounds  per  acre. 
On  old  beds,  sow  the  mixture  broadcast  in  the  fall  and 


an  additional    200  pounds  of    Nitrate  per  acre  in  the  Ij^t^**"" 
spring.  

Prof.  W.  F.  Massey  writes:  "I  top-dressed  an  old  ^^9 
strawberr}^  bed  in  its  fifth  year  of  bearing  with  300 
pounds  Nitrate  of  Soda  per  acre.  I  had  intended 
ploughing  it  up  the  previous  summer  as  it  was  in  an 
exhausted  condition  and  foul  with  white  clover  and 
sorrel. 

"The  effect  was  amazing,  for  this  bed  of  an  acre  and 
a  quarter,  from  which  I  expected  almost  nothing,  gave 
seven  thousand  quarts  of  berries. 

Figs. 

After  investigating  the  requirements  of  the  fig. 
Professor  George  E.  Colby,  of  the  University  of  Cali- 
fornia Experiment  Station,  says: 

"The  fig  leads  among  our  fruits  in  its  demand  upon  the  soil 
for  Nitrogen.  Thus  we  find  for  the  southern  localities  especially, 
the  same  necessity  of  early  replacement  of  Nitrogen  in  figs  and 
stone  fruit  as  for  Orange  orchards,  and  partly  for  the  same  reason, 
viz.,  that  California  soils  are  usually  not  rich  in  their  natural  supply 
of  this  substance." 

Nitrate  of  Soda  will  furnish  the  necessary  Nitrogen 
in  its  most  available  form,  and  at  less  cost  than  any 
other  material.  It  will  probably  be  best  to  use  in  addi- 
tion to  the  Nitrate  an  equal  quantity  of  bone  meal 
phosphate,  say  two  pounds  of  each  per  tree. 

Grapes. 

Grape  plantations  should  be  located  and  planted 
by  an  expert,  and  one,  too,  who  has  had  experience  with 
the  locality  selected  as  the  site  of  the  vineyard.  The 
treatment  of  the  young  plants  is  a  matter  of  soil  and 
climate,  and  for  which  there  are  no  general  rules.  When 
the  vines  have  reached  bearing  age,  however,  their 
fertilization  becomes  a  very  important  matter.  The 
new  wood  must  be  thoroughly  matured  to  bear  next 
year's  fruit,  and  an  excess  of  ammoniate  late  in  the 
season  not  only  defeats  this  object,  but  also  lessens  the 
number  of  fruit  buds.  Potash  and  phosphoric  acid 
must  be  used  freely,  about  50  pounds  of  potash  and  GO 


Food  for  pounds  of  available  phosphoric  acid  to  the  acre.    This 

^^  is  not  a  crop  for  ordinary  commercial  fertilizers.    The 

190  fertilizer  suggested  above  should  be  applied  in  the  spring 
and  at  the  same  time  broadcast  along  the  rows  Nitrate 
of  Soda  at  the  rate  of  200  pounds  per  acre.  If  the  plants 
lose  color  in  spots  late  in  the  season,  work  into  the  soil 
about  the  vine  an  ounce  or  so  of  Nitrate,  but  this  must 
not  be  done  later  than  midsummer. 


Profitable  Fertilization  of  Grapes. 

Summary  of  Experiments  by  the  Director  of  Darmstadt  Agricultural 
Experiment  Station,  Darmstadt,  Germany. 

Systematic  fertilizer  experiments  with  grapes  have 
been  conducted  in  this  country  so  rarely  that  we  must 
seek  information  in  this  line  from  foreign  experimenters. 
The  experiment  detailed  below  was  conducted  by  the 
Darmstadt  Agricultural  Experiment  Station,  Darm- 
stadt, Germany.  The  vines  were  grown  singly  in  pots. 
The  fertilizer  application  in  the  two  pots  illustrated 
herewith  were  at  the  rate  of  3.3  ounces  of  Nitrate  of 
Soda,  .6  of  an  ounce  muriate  of  potash  and  2  ounces 
acid  phosphate  per  vine.  At  the  rate  of  907  vines  per 
acre  (vines  6  by  8  feet)  this  application  is  the  equivalent 
of  189  pounds  Nitrate  of  Soda,  113  pounds  acid  phos- 
phate and  34  pounds  muriate  of  potash  per  acre.  The 
illustrations  (pages  192-193)  show  the  growth  of  vine  and 
also  the  production  of  fruit  from  the  two  pots,  and  the 
excellent  effect  of  Nitrate  of  Soda  were  unmistakably 
shown.     The  actual  yields  of  fruit  were : 

Per  Acre. 
Potash  and  acid  phosphate  without  Nitrate  of  Soda. .  .    1,024  lbs. 
Potash  and  acid  phosphate  with  Nitrate  of  Soda 4,929     " 

A  remarkable  point  in  this  experiment  was  data  to 
show  the  growth  of  leaf  and  wood  for  each  100  pounds 
of  grapes,  as  follows: 

With  Nitrate,  for  100  lbs.  grapes 47  lbs.  13  lbs. 

Without  Nitrate,  for  100  lbs.  grapes 119     "  34     " 

The  evidence  tends  to  confirm  the  belief  that  in- 
sufficient or  improperly  balanced  fertilizers  produce 
wood  and  leaf  growth  often  at  the  expense  of  the  fruit; 


191 


that  is,  the  merchantable  portion  of  the  crop.  In  fer-  pJ^^J^*" 
tihzing  grapes  the  phosphate  and  potash  should  be 
applied  early  in  the  spring,  before  the  vines  begin  to 
grow;  Nitrate  of  Soda  should  be  applied  just  at  the 
time  the  vines  commence  growth  in  the  spring.  A 
better  plan  perhaps  is  to  apply  the  Nitrate  in  two  doses, 
one  when  the  vines  start  growth  in  the  spring,  the 
second  some  time  three  weeks  later. 


Nursery  Stock. 

The  soil  should  be  moderately  light  loam,  some- 
what deep  and  thoroughly  worked.  It  is  an  advantage 
if  the  soil  has  previously  been  in  corn,  or  some  other 
clean  cultivation  crop.  Nursery  stock  should  not  be 
planted  on  turned-under  clover  stubble.  A  soil  rich 
in  ammoniates  produces  an  overgrowth  of  wood,  which 
fails  to  mature.  This  is  caused  by  continued  supplies 
of  natural  Nitrate  up  to  the  time  of  frost,  and  as  a 
consequence  new  sap  wood  is  continually  being  formed 
only  to  be  killed  back  in  winter.  The  ammonia  in  all 
low  grade  fertilizers  is  slowly  Nitrated  by  the  action 
of  certain  soil  organisms,  which  continue  at  work  so 
long  as  there  are  any  ammoniates  to  work  upon,  or  the 
soil  not  frozen.  All  through  the  season  of  growth, 
more  or  less  Nitrated  ammonia  is  being  supplied,  which 
acts  to  prevent  the  complete  ripening  of  the  summer's 
growth. 

This  is  a  marked  evil  in  growing  nursery  stock. 
The  work  is  not  matured  and  is  badly  killed  back  by 
frost,  causing  serious  disfigurement;  also  the  young  trees 
become  too  slender  and  suffer  more  in  transplanting. 
Apply  along  the  rows  a  fertilizer  consisting  of  200 
pounds  of  acid  phosphate  and  200  pounds  of  sulphate 
of  potash,  at  the  rate  of  400  pounds  per  acre,  and  work 
well  into  the  soil.  When  the  young  trees  are  in  full 
leaf,  apply  in  the  same  manner  300  to  400  pounds  of 
Nitrate  of  Soda  to  the  acre;  and,  four  weeks  later,  repeat 
the  Nitrate  appHcation,  using  150  to  200  pounds.  This 
will  ensure  a  rapid  growth  early  in  the  season  with 
ample  time  for  thorough  maturing  before  cold  weather. 


Food  for 
Plants 


192 


Fertilizer    per    Vine,LOmitting    Nitrate    Nitrogen. 
0.6  oz.  Muriate  or  Sulphate  of  Potash  per  vine,  or  34  lbs.  per  acre. 
2  oz.  Acid  Phosphate  per  vine,  or  113  lbs.  per  acre. 


Food  for 
Plants 


193 


'^'■,  '  -i),      ^ 


Fertilizer  per  Vine,  With  Nitrate  Nitrogen. 

0.6  oz.  Muriate  or  Sulphate  of  Potash  per  vine,  or  34  lbs.  per  acre. 
2  oz.  Acid  Phosphate  per  vine,  or  113  lbs.  per  acre. 
3.3  oz.  Nitrate  of  Soda  per  vine,  or  189  lbs.  per  acre. 


Food  for  The  Nitrate  of  Soda  supplies  only  Nitrated  ammonia, 
Plants  ^yj-^-(,jj  jg  immediately  available  for  the  uses  of  the  plant. 


194  Nursery  stock  must  be  constantly  watched  for  evidences 
of  disease,  and  prompt  action  taken  when  such  are 
discovered. 

Orange  Groves. 

An  orange  that  weighs  a  pound  would  sell  in  New 
York  for  a  dime.  When  it  takes  six  to  weigh  a  pound 
they  are  worthless. 

Satisfactory  results  have  been  obtained  in  Florida 
by  fertilizing  during  the  cold  season.  About  two 
months  before  the  period  of  growth  begins,  apply  for 
each  full-grown  tree  a  mixture  of  7  pounds  of  high- 
grade  superphosphate  and  7  pounds  of  sulphate  of 
potash,  by  working  it  into  the  soil;  after  which  one 
pound  of  Nitrate  of  Soda  may  be  sown  on  the  surface. 
In  order  to  accomplish  this  application  economically 
it  is  well  to  mix  the  Nitrate  with  two  or  three  times 
the  quantity  of  fine,  dry  soil  before  applying.  The 
working  of  the  soil  must  not  be  so  deep  or  thorough 
as  to  start  the  growth  of  the  tree.  An  excess  of  Nitrate 
is  to  be  avoided,  but  the  amount  mentioned  is  not  too 
much.  All  other  ammoniates  on  the  market  must  be 
converted  into  Nitrate  by  weathering  and  the  action 
of  the  soil  bacteria  before  they  can  possibly  be  available 
for  plant  food.  Nitrate  of  Soda  is  a  pre-digested 
ammoniate.  With  sulphate  of  ammonia  there  is  danger 
of  loss,  as  it  must  be  converted  into  Nitrate  before  it 
is  available  as  food,  and  during  this  comparatively  long 
process  it  may  all  be  lost  by  rains  and  leaching. 

Dried  blood,  cotton-seed  meal  and  all  other  am- 
moniates, if  used  in  such  quantities  as  to  afford  an 
adequate  supply  of  Nitrate,  may  cause  die-back.  No 
disease  results  from  the  proper  use  of  Nitrate  of  Soda. 
Besides  the  possible  losses  indicated,  when  other  am- 
moniates are  used,  there  is  an  actual  loss  of  Nitrogen 
during  the  process  of  Nitration,  and  all  ammoniates 
must  undergo  Nitration — must  be  Nitrated  before 
living  trees  or  plants  will  feed  on  them. 

From  six  weeks  to  two  months  after  the  above 
applications  Nitrate  may  be  used  again  as  above  indi- 


cated.     If  desirable,  two  or  three  months  later  a  further  pJ^^J^"" 

application  of  one  and  a  half  pounds  of  Nitrate  of  Soda  

and  potash  may  be  made.  In  the  case  of  your  par-  '95 
ticular  soil,  it  may  well  be  that  it  is  sufficiently  rich 
in  potash,  and  therefore,  may  not  require  a  large  appli- 
cation of  it.  In  any  event,  the  grower  must  be 
governed  by  the  condition  of  his  grove  and  the  general 
character  of  soil  and  climate  in  his  particular  locality. 

The  early  decay  of  orchards  as  well  as  failure  to 
set  fruit  buds,  is  largely  a  matter  of  Jack  of  plant  food. 
Orchards  should  have  Nitrate,  applied  early  in  the 
season,  as  late  supplies  of  Nitrogen  are  liable  to  cause  a 
heavy  setting  of  leaf  buds  at  the  expense  of  next  year's 
fruit.  The  ordinary  ammoniates  are  not  satisfactory 
for  orchard  work,  as  they  continue  to  supply  available 
ammonia  all  through  the  season ;  not  enough  in  the  early 
part  of  the  year  to  properly  set  the  fruit,  hence  severe 
dropping;  too  much  late  in  the  year  when  none  is 
needed  and  which  causes  the  formation  of  leaf  rather 
than  fruit  buds.  The  soil  between  the  trees  should 
be  regularly  tilled,  much  as  in  corn  growing.  That  it 
is  not  generally  done  is  no  argument  against  the  value 
of  such  cultivation  methods. 


Food  for 
Plants 

196 


Of  General  Interest. 


Average  Annual  Rainfall  in  the  United  States. 


Place.  Inches. 

Neah  Bay,  Wash 123 

Sitka,  Alaska 83 

Ft.  Haskins,  Oregon 66 

Mt.  Vernon,  Alabama 66 

Baton  Rouge,  Louisiana ....  60 
Meadow  Valley,  California. .   57 

Ft.  Towson,  Oklahoma 57 

Ft.  Meyers,  Florida 56 

Washington,  Arkansas 54 

HuntsvUle,  Alabama 54 

Natchez,  Mississippi 53 

New  Orleans,  Louisiana 51 

Savannah,  Georgia 48 

Springdale,  Kentucky ......   48 

Fortress  Monroe,  Virginia .  .   47 

Memphis,  Tennessee 45 

Newark,  New  Jersey 44 

Boston,  Massachusetts 44 

Brunswick,  Maine 44 

Cincinnati,  Ohio •   44 

New  Haven,  Connecticut ...  44 
Philadelphia,  Pennsylvania. .   44 

New  York  City,  N.  Y 43 

Charleston,  South  Carolina. .   43 

Gaston,  North  Carolina 43 

Richmond,  Indiana 43 

Marietta,  Ohio 43 

St.  Louis,  Missouri 43 

Muscatine,  Iowa 42 

Baltimore,  Maryland 41 

New  Bedford,  Massachusetts  41 
Providence,  Rhode  Island. . .  41 
Ft.  Smith,  Arkansas 40 


Place.  Inches. 

Hanover,  New  Hampshire .  .   40 

Ft.  Vancouver 38 

Cleveland,  Ohio ...   37 

Pittsburgh,  Pennsylvania. . .   37 

Washington,  D.  C 37 

White  Sulphur  Springs,  Va .   37 

Ft.  Gibson,  Oklahoma 36 

Key  West,  Florida 36 

Peoria,  Illinois 35 

Burlington  Vermont 34 

Buffalo,  New  York 33 

Ft.  Brown,  Texas 33 

Ft.  Leavenworth,  Kansas ...   31 

Detroit,  Michigan 30 

Milwaukee,  Wisconsin 30 

Penn  Yann,  New  York 28 

Ft.  Kearney 25 

Ft.  Snelling,  Minnesota 25 

Salt  Lake  City,  Utah 23 

Mackinac,  Michigan .......    23 

San  Francisco,  Cahfornia  ...   21 

Dallas,  Oregon 21 

Sacramento,  California 21 

Ft.  Massachusetts,  Colorado  17 
Ft.  Marcy,  New  Mexico.  ...    16 

Ft.  Randall,  Dakota 16 

Ft.  Defiance,  Arizona 14 

Ft.  Craig,  New  Mexico 11 

San  Diego,  California 9 

Ft.  Colville,  Washington.. .  .     9 

Ft.  Bliss,  Texas 9 

Ft.  Bridger,  Utah 6 

Ft.  Garland,  Colorado 6 


Number  of  Years  Seeds  Retain  Their  Vitality. 

Vegetables.  Years. 

Endive 5  to    6 

Pea 5  to    6 

Radish 4  to    5 

Beets 3  to    4 

Cress 3  to    4 

Lettuce 3  to    4 

Mustard 3  to    4 


Vegetables.  Years. 

Cucumber 8  to  10 

Melon 8  to  10 

Pumpkin 8  to  10 

Squash 8  to  10 

Broccoli 5  to    6 

Cauliflower 5  to    6 

Artichoke 5  to    6 


Okra 3  to  4  Parsley 2  to  3  Food  for 

Rhubarb 3  to  4  Parsnip 2  to  3  P^^^ts 

Spinach 3  to  4  Pepper 2  to  3 

Turnip 3  to  6  Tomato 2  to  3 

Asparagus 2  to  3  Egg-Plant 1  to  2 

Beans 2  to  3 

Carrots 2  to  3  Herbs. 

Celery 2  to  3  Anise 3  to  4 

Corn  (on  cob) 2  to  3  Caraway 2 

Leek 2  to  3  Summer  Savory 1  to  2 

Onion 2  to  3  Sage 2  to  3 

How  Deep  in  the  Ground  to  Plant  Corn. 

The  following  is  the  result  of  an  experiment  with  Indian  Corn. 
That  which  was  planted  at  a  depth  of 

1  inch  came  up  in 83^  days. 

13/2  inch,  came  up  in 93/^  days. 

2  inches,  came  up  in 10      days. 

23^  inches,  came  up  in 113^2  days. 

3  inches,  came  up  in 12      days. 

33^^  inches,  came  up  in 13      days. 

4  inches,  came  up  in 133^2  days. 

The  more  shallow  the  seed  was  covered  with  earth,  the  more 
rapidly  the  sprout  made  its  appearance,  and  the  stronger  after- 
wards was  the  stalk.  The  deeper  the  seed  lay,  the  longer  it  re- 
mained before  it  came  to  the  surface.  Four  inches  was  too  deep 
for  the  maize,  and  must,  therefore,  be  too  deep  for  smaller  kernels. 

Amount  of  Barbed  Wire  Required  for  Fences. 

Estimated  number  of  pounds  of  Barbed  Wire  required  to 
fence  space  for  distances  mentioned,  with  one,  two  or  three  lines 
of  wire,  based  upon  each  pound  of  wire,  measuring  one  rod  (163^2 
feet). 

1  line  2  lines                      3  lines 

1  square  acre 50%   lbs.  lOlM    lbs.         152  lbs. 

1  side  of  a  square  acre.  .  .  .        12M    lbs.  25M    lbs.           38  lbs. 

1  square  half-acre 36       lbs.  72       lbs.         108  lbs. 

1  square  mile 1,280       lbs.  2,560       lbs.      3,840  lbs. 

1  side  of  a  square  mile. ...     230       lbs.  460       lbs.         690  lbs. 

1  rod  in  length 1       lb.  2       lbs.             3  lbs. 

100  rods  in  length 100       lbs.  200       lbs.         300  lbs. 

100  feet  in  length QXe   lbs.  123^   lbs.       18%    lbs. 

How  Grain  will  Shrink. 

Farmers  rarely  gain  by  holding  on  to  their  grain  after  it  is  fit 
for  market,  when  the  shrinkage  is  taken  into  account.  Wheat, 
from  the  time  it  is  threshed,  will  shrink  two  quarts  to  the  bushel 


Food  for  or  six  per  cent,  in  six  months,  in  the  most  favorable  circumstances. 
Plants  Hence,  it  follows  that  ninety-four  cents  a  bushel  for  wheat  when 
^  first  threshed  in  August,  is  as  good,  taking  into  account  the  shrink- 
^^         age  alone,  as  one  dollar  in  the  following  February. 

Corn  shrinks  much  more  from  the  time  it  is  first  husked. 
One  hundred  bushels  of  ears,  as  they  come  from  the  field  in  Novem- 
ber, will  be  reduced  to  not  far  from  eighty.  So  that  forty  cents  a 
bushel  for  corn  in  the  ear,  as  it  comes  from  the  field,  is  as  good  as 
fifty  in  March,  shrinkage  only  being  taken  into  account. 

In  the  case  of  potatoes— taking  those  that  rot  and  are  other- 
wise lost — together  with  the  shrinkage,  there  is  but  little  doubt 
that  between  October  and  June,  the  loss  to  the  owner  who  holds 
them  is  not  less  than  thirty-three  per  cent. 

This  estimate  is  taken  on  the  basis  of  interest  at  7  per  cent., 
and  takes  no  account  of  loss  by  vermin. 

One  hundred  pounds  of  Indian  meal  is  equal  to  76  pounds  of 
wheat,  83  of  oats,  90  of  rye,  111  of  barley,  333  of  corn  stalks. 

Length  of  Navigation  of  the  Mississippi  River. 

The  length  of  navigation  of  the  Mississippi  River  itself  for 
ordinary  large  steamboats  is  about  2,161  miles,  but  small  steamers 
can  ascend  about  650  miles  further.  The  following  are  its  prin- 
cipal navigable  tributaries,  with  the  miles  open  to  navigation: 

Miles.  Miles. 

Minnesota 295         Wisconsin 160 

Chippewa 90         Rock 64 

Iowa 80         Illinois 350 

Missouri 2,900         Yellowstone 474 

Big  Horn 50        Ohio 950 

Allegheny 325         Monongahela 110 

Muskingum 94         Kanawha 94 

Kentucky 105         Green 200 

Wabash 365         Cumberland 600 

Tennessee 270         Clinch 50 

Osage 302        St.  Francis 180 

White 779        Black 147 

Little  White 48        Arkansas 884 

Big  Hatchie 75         Issaquena 161 

Sunflower 271         Yazoo 228 

Tallahatchie 175         Big  Black 35 

Red 986         Cane. ._ 54 

Cypress 44        Ouachita 384 

Black 61         Boeuf 55 

Bartholomew 100         Tensas 112 

Macon 60        Teche 91 

Atchafalaya 218         D'Arbonne 50 

Lafourche 168 

The  other  ten  navigable  tributaries  have  less  than  fifty  miles 
each  of  navigation.     The  total  miles  of  navigation  of  these  fifty- 


five  streams  is  about  16,500  miles,  or  about  two-thirds  the  dis-  Food  for 

tance  around  the  world.  The  Mississippi  and  its  tributaries  may  ^^^°^^ 
be  estimated  to  possess  15,550  miles  navigable  to  steamboats,  and  ^^^ 
20,221  miles  navigable  to  barges. 

Carrying  Capacity  of  a  Freight  Car. 

This  Table  is  for  Ten  Ton  Cars. 

Whiskey 60  barrels  Lumber 6,000  feet 

Salt 70  barrels  Barley 300  bushels 

Lime 70  barrels  Wheat 340  bushels 

Flour 90  barrels  Flax  Seed 360  bushels 

Eggs 130  to  160  barrels  Apples 370  Inishels 

Flour 200  sacks  Corn 400  bushels 

Wood 6  cords  Potatoes 430  bushels 

Cattle 18  to  20  head  Oats 680  bushels 

Hogs 50  to  60  head  Bran 1,000  bushels 

Sheep 80  to  100  head  Butter 20,000    pounds 

How  to  Measure  Corn  in  Crib,  Hay  in  Mow,  etc. 

This  rule  will  apply  to  a  crib  of  any  size  or  kind.  Two  cubic 
feet  of  good,  sound,  dry  corn  in  the  ear  will  make  a  bushel  of 
shelled  corn.  To  get,  then,  the  quantity  of  shelled  corn  in  a  crib 
of  corn  in  the  ear,  measure  the  length,  breadth  and  height  of  the 
crib,  inside  of  the  rail;  multiply  the  length  by  the  breadth  and 
the  product  by  the  height;  then  divide  the  product  by  two,  and 
you  have  the  number  of  bushels  of  shelled  corn  in  the  crib. 

To  find  the  number  of  bushels  of  apples,  potatoes,  etc.,  in  a 
bin,  multiply  the  length,  breadth  and  thickness  together,  and  this 
product  by  8,  and  point  off  one  figure  in  the  product  for  decimals. 

To  find  the  amount  of  hay  in  a  mow,  allow  512  cubic  feet  for 
a  ton,  and  it  will  come  out  very  generally  correct. 

Business  Rules  for  Farmers. 

The  way  to  get  credit  is  to  be  punctual  in  paying  your  bills. 
The  way  to  preserve  it  is  not  to  use  it  much.  Settle  often;  have 
short  accounts. 

Trust  no  man's  appearances — they  are  deceptive — perhaps 
assumed,  for  the  purpose  of  obtaining  credit.  Beware  of  gaudy 
exterior.  Rogues  usually  dress  well.  The  rich  are  plain  men. 
Trust  him,  if  any,  who  carries  but  little  on  his  back.  Never  trust 
him  who  flies  into  a  passion  on  being  dunned;  make  him  pay 
quickly,  if  there  be  any  virtue  in  the  law. 

Be  well  satisfied  before  you  give  a  credit  that  those  to  whom 
you  give  it  are  men  to  be  trusted. 

Sell  your  goods  at  a  small  advance,  and  never  misrepresent 
them,  for  those  whom  you  once  deceive  will  beware  of  you  the 
second  time. 


Food  for  Deal  uprightly  with  all  men,  and  they  will  repose  confidence 

Plants  jjj  yQ^j^  ^^^  SQQjj  become  your  permanent  customers. 
'^  Beware  of  him  who  is  an  office  seeker.     Men  do  not  usually 

want  an  office  when  they  have  anything  to  do.     A  man's  affairs 
are  rather  low  when  he  seeks  office  for  support. 

Trust  no  stranger.  Your  goods  are  better  than  doubtful 
charges.  What  is  character  worth,  if  you  make  it  cheap  by  credit- 
ing everybody? 

Agree  beforehand  with  every  man  about  to  do  a  job,  and,  if 
large,  put  in  into  writing.  If  any  decline  this,  quit,  or  be  cheated. 
Though  you  want  a  job  ever  so  much,  make  all  sure  at  the  outset, 
and  in  case  at  all  doubtful,  make  sure  of  a  guarantee.  Be  not 
afraid  to  ask  it;  the  best  test  of  responsibility;  for,  if  offence  be 
taken,  you  have  escaped  a  loss. 

Business  Laws  in  Brief. 

Ignorance  of  law  excuses  none. 

It  is  a  fraud  to  conceal  a  fraud. 

The  law  compels  no  one  to  do  impossibilities. 

An  agreement  without  consideration  is  void. 

Signatures  made  with  lead-pencil  are  good  in  law. 

A  receipt  for  money  paid  is  not  legally  conclusive. 

The  acts  of  one  partner  bind  all  the  others. 

Contracts  made  on  Sunday  cannot  be  enforced. 

A  contract  made  with  a  minor  is  invalid. 

A  contract  made  with  a  lunatic  is  void. 

Contracts  for  advertising  in  Sunday  newspapers  are  invalid. 

Each  individual  in  a  partnership  is  responsible  for  the  whole 
amount  of  the  debts  of  a  firm. 

Principals  are  responsible  for  the  acts  of  their  agents. 

Agents  are  responsible  to  their  principals  for  errors. 

A  note  given  by  a  minor  is  void. 

It  is  not  legally  necessary  to  say  on  a  note  "for  value  received." 

A  note  drawn  on  Sunday  is  void. 

A  note  obtained  by  fraud,  or  from  a  person  in  a  state  of  in- 
toxication, cannot  be  collected. 

If  a  note  be  lost  or  stolen,  it  does  not  release  the  maker;  he 
must  pay. 

The  indorser  of  a  note  is  exempt  from  liability  if  not  served 
with  notice  of  its  dishonor  within  twenty-four  hours  of  its  non- 
payment. 

How  to  Treat  Sunstroke. 

Take  the  patient  at  once  to  a  cool  and  shady  place,  but  don't 
carry  him  far  to  a  house  or  hospital.  Loosen  the  clothes  thor- 
oughly about  his  neck  and  waist  Lay  him  down  with  the  head 
a  little  raised.  Apply  wet  cloths  to  the  head,  and  mustard  or 
turpentine  to  the  calves  of  the  legs  and  the  soles  of  the  feet. 
Give  a  little  weak  whiskey  and  water  if  he  can  swallow.     Mean- 


while,   let  some  one  go  for  the  doctor.     You   cannot   do   more  Food  for 
without  his  advice.  Plants 

Sunstroke  is  a  sudden  prostration  due  to  long  exposure  to       ~ 
great  heat,  especially  when  much  fatigued  or  exhausted.     It  com- 
monly happens  from  undue  exposure  to  the  sun's  rays  in  summer. 
It  begins  with  pain  in  the  head,  or  dizziness,  quickly  followed  by 
loss  of  consciousness  and  complete  prostration. 

Time  Required  for  Digesting  Food. 

Food.  How  Cooked.                                H.  M. 

Apples,  sour,  hard Raw 2.50 

Apples,  sweet,  mellow Raw 1 .  30 

Bass,  striped Broiled 3 .  00 

Beans,  pod Boiled 2 .  30 

Beans  and  green  corn Boiled 3 .  45 

Beef Fried 4.00 

Beefsteak Broiled 3 .  00 

Beef,  fresh,  lean,  dry Roasted 3 .  30 

Beef,  fresh,  lean,  rare Roasted 3 .  00 

Beets Boiled 3.45 

Bread,  corn Baked 3.15 

Bread,  wheat,  fresh Baked 1 .  30 

Cabbage. Raw 2.30 

Cabbage,  with  vinegar Raw 2 .  00 

Cabbage Boiled 4 .  30 

Carrot Boiled 3.13 

Catfish Fried 3 .  30 

Cheese,  old,  strong Raw 3 .  30 

Chicken,  full  grown Fricasseed 2.45 

Codfish,  cured  dry Boiled 2 .  00 

Custard Baked 2.45 

Duck,  tame Roasted 4.00 

Duck,  wild Roasted 4.30 

Eggs,  fresh Raw 2.00 

Eggs,  fresh Scrambled 1 .30 

Eggs,  fresh Roasted 2 .  15 

Eggs,  fresh Soft  boiled 3 .  00 

Eggs,  fresh Hard  boiled 3 .  30 

Eggs,  fresh Fried 3.30 

Fowls,  domestic Roasted 4 .  00 

Hashed  meat  and  vegetables . .  .     Warmed 2 .  30 

Lamb,  fresh Broiled 2.30 

Milk Boiled 2.00 

Milk Raw 2.15 

Mutton,  fresh Broiled 3 .  00 

Oysters,  fresh Raw 2.55 

Oysters,  fresh Roasted 3. 15 

Oysters,  fresh Stewed 3 .  30 

Parsnips Boiled 2.30 


202 


Food  for  Pork,  steak Broiled 3. 15 

Plants  poj.1,^  fat  j^nd  lean Roasted 5.15 

Pork,  recently  salted Stewed 3 .  00 

Pork,  recently  salted Fried 4 .  15 

Potatoes,  Irish Baked 2.30 

Potatoes,  Irish Boiled 3 .  30 

Salmon,  salted Boiled 4 .  00 

Sausages,  fresh Broiled 3 .  20 

Soup,  bean Boiled 3 .  00 

Soup,  chicken Boiled 3 .  00 

Soup,  mutton Boiled 3 .  30 

Soup,  beef,  vegetable Boiled 4 .  00 

Trout,  salmon,  fresh Boiled 1-30 

Turkey,  domesticated Roasted 2 .  30 

Veal,  fresh Boiled 4.00 

Veal,  fresh Fried 4.30 

How  to  Rent  a  Farm. 

In  the  rental  of  property,  the  greater  risk  is  always  on  the 
landlord's  side.  He  is  putting  his  property  into  the  possession 
and  care  of  another,  and  that  other  is  not  infrequently  a  person  of 
doubtful  utility.    These  rules  and  cautions  may  well  be  observed: 

1.  Trust  to  no  verbal  lease.  Let  it  be  in  writing,  signed  and 
sealed.  Its  stipulations  then  become  commands  and  can  be  en- 
forced. Let  it  be  signed  in  duplicate,  so  that  each  party  may  have 
an  original. 

2.  Insert  such  covenants  as  to  repairs,  manner  of  use  and  in 
restraint  of  waste,  as  the  circumstances  call  for.  As  to  particular 
stipulations,  examine  leases  drawn  by  those  who  have  had  long 
experience  in  renting  farms,  and  adopt  such  as  meet  your  case. 

3.  There  should  be  covenants  against  assigning  and  under- 
letting. 

4.  If  the  tenant  is  of  doubtful  responsibility,  make  the  rent 
payable  in  installments.  A  covenant  that  the  crops  shall  remain 
the  lessor's  till  the  lessee's  contracts  with  him  have  been  fulfilled, 
is  valid  against  the  lessee's  creditors.  In  the  ordinary  case  of  rent- 
ing farms  on  shares,  the  courts  will  treat  the  crops  as  the  joint 
property  of  landlord  and  tenant,  and  thus  protect  the  former's 
rights. 

5  Every  lease  shou'd  contain  stipulations  for  forfeiture  and 
re-entry  in  case  of  non-payment  or  breach  of  any  covenants. 

6  To  prevent  a  tenant's  committing  waste,  the  ^courts  will 
grant  an  injunction. 

7.  Above  all,  be  careful  in  selecting  your  tenant.  There  is 
more  in  the  man  than  there  is  in  the  bond. 

Facts  for  the  Weatherwise. 

If  the  full  moon  rises  clear,  expect  fine  weather. 

A  large  ring  around  the  moon  and  low  clouds  indicate  rain 


in  twenty -four  hours;  a  small  ring  and  high  clouds,  rain  in  several  ^jo^^o'" 
days.  ,  

The  larger  the  halo  about  the  moon  the  nearer  the  rain  clouds,       203 
and  the  sooner  the  rain  may  be  expected. 

When  the  moon  is  darkest  near  the  horizon,  expect  rain. 

If  the  full  moon  rises  pale,  expect  rain. 

A  red  moon  indicates  wind. 

If  the  moon  is  seen  between  the    scud  and  broken  cloud 
during  a  gale,  it  is  expected  to  send  away  the  bad  weather. 

In  the  old  of  the  moon  a  cloudy  morning  bodes  a  fair  after- 


noon. 


If  there  be  a  general  mist  before  sunrise  near  the  full  of  the 
moon,  the  weather  will  be  fine  for  some  days. 

Farmers'  Barometers. 

If  chickweed  and  scarlet  pimpernel  expand  their  tiny  petals, 
rain  need  not  be  expected  for  a  few  hours,  says  a  writer. 

Bees  work  with  redoubled  energy  before  a  rain. 

If  flies  are  unusually  persistent  either  in  the  house  or  around 
the  stock,  there  is  rain  in  the  air. 

The  cricket  sings  at  the  approach  of  cold  weather. 

Sciuirrels  store  a  large  supply  of  nuts,  the  husks  of  corn  are 
usually  thick,  and  the  buds  of  deciduous  trees  have  a  firmer  pro- 
tecting coat  if  a  severe  winter  is  at  hand. 

Corn  fodder  is  extremely  sensitive  to  hygrometr'c  changes. 
When  dry  and  crisp,  it  indicates  fair  weather;  when  damp  and 
limp,  look  out  for  rain. 

A  bee  was  never  caught  in  a  shower;  therefore  when  his  bees 
leave  their  hive  in  search  of  honey,  the  farmer  knows  that  the 
weather  is  going  to  be  good. 

How  to  See  the  Wind. 

Few  persons  know  that  it  is  possible  actually  to  see  the  wind, 
but  it  can  be  done  as  follows: 

Take  a  polished  metal  surface  of  two  feet  or  more,  with  a 
straight  edge;  a  large  hand-saw  will  answer  the  purpose.  Choose 
a  windy  day  for  the  experiment,  whether  hot  or  cold,  clear  or 
cloudy;  only  let  it  not  be  in  murky,  rainy  weather. 

Hold  your  metallic  surface  at  right  angles  to  the  direction 
of  the  wind — i.  e.  if  the  wind  is  north  hold  your  surface  east  and 
west,  but  instead  of  holding  it  vertical  incline  it  about  forty-two 
degrees  to  the  horizon,  so  that  the  wind,  striking,  glances  and 
flows  over  the  edge  as  the  water  flows  over  a  dam.  Now  sight 
carefully  along  the  edge  some  minutes  at  a  sharply  defined  object, 
and  you  will  see  the  wind  pouring  over  the  edge  in  graceful  curves. 
Make  your  observations  carefully  and  you  will  hardly  ever  fail 
in  the  experiment.    The  results  are  better  if  the  sun  is  obscured. 


Food  for 
Plants 


204 


Philosophical  Facts. 

The  greatest  height  at  which  visible  clouds  ever  exist  does  not 
exceed  ten  miles. 

Air  is  about  eight  hundred  and  fifteen  times  lighter  than 
water. 

The  pressure  of  the  atmosphere  upon  every  square  foot  of 
the  earth  amounts  to  two  thousand  one  hundred  and  sixty  pounds. 
An  ordinary  sized  man,  supposing  his  surface  to  be  fourteen  square 
feet,  sustains  the  enormous  pressure  of  thirty  thousand,  two 
hundred  and  forty  pounds. 

The  barometer  falls  one-tenth  of  an  inch  for  every  seventy- 
eight  feet  of  elevation. 

The  violence  of  the  expansion  of  water  when  freezing  is  suf 
ficient  to  cleave  a  globe  of  copper  of  such  thickness  as  to  require 
a  force  of  27,000  pounds  to  produce  the  same  effect. 

During  the  conversion  of  ice  into-  water  one  hundred  and 
forty  degrees  of  heat  are  absorbed. 

Water,  when  converted  into  steam,  increases  in  bulk  eighteen 
hundred  times. 

In  one  second  of  time — in  one  beat  of  the  pendulum  of  a 
clock — light  travels  two  hundred  thousand  miles.  _  Were  a  cannon 
ball  shot  toward  the  sun,  and  were  it  to  maintain  full  speed,  it 
would  be  twenty  years  in  reaching  it— and  yet  Hght  travels  through 
this  space  in  seven  or  eight  minutes. 

Strange  as  it  may  appear,  a  ball  of  a  ton  weight  and  another 
of  the  same  material  of  an  ounce  w;eight,  falling  from  any  height 
will  reach  the  ground  at  the  same  time. 

The  heat  does  not  increase  as  we  rise  above  the  earth  nearer 
to  the  sun  but  decreases  rapidly  until,  beyond  the  regions  of  the 
atmosphere,  in  void,  it  is  estimated  that  the  cold  is  about  seventy 
degrees  below  zero.  The  line  of  perpetual  frost  at  the  equator 
is  15,000  feet  altitude;  13,000  feet  between  the  tropics;  and  9,000 
to  4,000  between  the  latitudes  of  forty  and  forty-nine  degrees. 

At  a  depth  of  forty-five  feet  under  ground,  the  temperature 
of  the  earth  is  uniform  throughout  the  year. 

In  summer  time,  the  season  of  ripening  moves  northward  at 
the  rate  of  about  ten  miles  a  day. 

The  human  ear  is  so  extremely  sensitive  that  it  can  hear  a 
sound  that  lasts  only  the  twenty-four  thousandth  part  of  a  second. 
Deaf  persons  have  sometimes  conversed  together  through  rods  of 
wood  held  between  their  teeth,  or  held  to  their  throat  or  breast. 

The  ordinary  pressure  of  the  atmosphere  on  the  surface  of 
the  earth  is  two  thousand  one  hundred  and  sixty  pounds  to  each 
square  foot,  or  fifteen  pounds  to  each  square  inch;  equal  to  thirty 
perpendicular  inches  of  mercury,  or  thirty-four  and  a  half  feet  of 
water. 

Sound  travels  at  the  rate  of  one  thousand  one  hundred  and 
forty-two  feet  per  second — about  thirteen  miles  in  a  minute.     So 


that  if  we  hear  a  clap  of  thunder  half  a  minute  after  the  flash,  Food  for 
we  may  calculate  that  the  discharge  of  electricity  is  six  and  a  Plants^ 
half  miles  off.  205 

Lightning  can  be  seen  by  reflection  at  the  distance  of  two 
hundred  miles. 

The  explosive  force  of  closely  confined  gunpowder  is  six  and 
a  half  tons  to  the  square  inch. 

How  to  Preserve  Eggs. 

To  each  pailful  of  water,  add  two  pints  of  fresh  slacked  lime 
and  one  pint  of  common  salt;  mix  well.  Fill  your  barrel  half  full 
with  this  fluid,  put  your  eggs  down  in  it  any  time  after  June,  and 
they  will  keep  two  years,  if  desired.  A  solution  of  silicate  of  soda, 
commonly  known  as  water  glass,  is  also  used  for  the  same  purpose. 

Estimating  Measures. 

A  pint  of  water  weighs  nearly  1  pound,  and  is  equal  to  about 
27  cubic  inches,  or  a  square  box  3  inches  long,  3  inches  wide  and 
3  inches  deep. 

A  quart  of  water  weighs  nearly  2  pounds,  and  is  equal  to  a 
square  box  of  about  4  by  4  inches  and  3^/^  inches  deep. 

A  gallon  of  w^ater  weighs  from  8  to  10  pounds,  according  to 
the  size  of  the  gallon,  and  is  equal  to  a  box  6  by  6  inches  square 
and  6,  7  or  7^  inches  deep. 

A  peck  is  equal  to  a  box  8  by  8  inches  square  and  8  inches 
deep. 

A  bushel  almost  fills  a  box  12  by  12  inches  square  and  15 
inches  deep.  In  exact  figures,  a  bushel  contains  2150.42  cubic  inches. 

A  cubic  foot  of  water  weighs  nearly  64  pounds  (more  correctly 
62>2  pounds),  and  contains  from  7  to  8  gallons,  according  to  the 
kind  of  gallons  used. 

A  barrel  of  water  almost  fills  a  box  2  by  2  feet  square  and  13/^ 
feet  deep,  or  6  cubic  feet. 

Petroleum  barrels  contain  40  gallons,  or  nearly  5  cubic  feet. 

Square  Measure. 

144  sq.  in. — 1  sq.  foot  160  sq.  rods — 1  acre 

9  sq.  feet — 1  sq.  yard  43,560  sq.  ft. — 1  acre 

303^  sq.  yards — 1  sq.  rod  640  acres — 1  sq.  mile 

2.47  acre — 1  Hectare. 


Food  for  Number  of  Brick  Required  to  Construct  any  Building. 

^^^"^^  (Reckoning  7  Brick  to  Each  Superficial  Foot.) 


206 


Superficial  Feet 

Number  of  Bricks  to  Thickness  of 

of  Wall. 

4  inch. 

8  inch. 

12  inch. 

16  inch. 

20  inch. 

24  inch. 

1   

7 

15 

23 

30 

38 

45 

53 

60 

68 

75 

150 

225 

300 

375 

450 

525 

600 

675 

750 

1,500 

2,250 

3,000 

3,750 

4,500 

5,250 

6,000 

6,750 

7,500 

15 

30 

45 

60 

75 

90 

105 

120 

135 

150 

300 

450 

600 

750 

900 

1,050 

1,200 

1,350 

1,500 

3,000 

4,500 

6,000 

7,500 

9,000 

10,500 

12,000 

13,500 

15,000 

23 

45 

68 

90 

113 

135 

158 

180 

203 

225 

450 

675 

900 

1,125 

1,350 

1,575 

1,800 

2,025 

2,250 

4,500 

6,750 

9,000 

11,250 

13,500 

15,750 

18,000 

20,250 

22,500 

30 

60 

90 

120 

150 

180 

210 

240 

270 

300 

600 

900 

1,200 

1,500 

1,800 

2,100 

2,400 

2,700 

3,000 

6,000 

9,000 

12,000 

15,000 

18,000 

21,000 

24,000 

27,000 

30,000 

38 

75 

113 

150 

188 

225 

263 

300 

338 

375 

750 

1,125 

1,500 

1,875 

2,250 

2,625 

3,000 

3,375 

3,750 

7,500 

11,250 

15,000 

18,750 

22,500 

26,250 

30,000 

33,750 

37,500 

45 

2 

90 

3 

135 

4 

180 

5       .  . 

225 

6   

270 

7  

315 

8 

360 

9 

405 

10 

450 

20     

900 

30 

1,350 

40 

1,800 

50 

2,250 

60 

2,700 

70     .... 

3,150 

80   

3,600 

90 

4,050 

100 

4,500 

200 

9,000 

300 

13,500 

400     .  . . . 

18,000 

500   

22,500 

600 

27,000 

700 

31,500 

•800 

36,000 

900 

40,500 

1000     

45,000 

Facts  for  Builders. 

One  thousand  shingles,  laid  4  inches  to  the  weather,  will 
cover  100  square  feet  of  surface,  and  5  pounds  of  shingle  nails  will 
fasten  them  on. 

One-fifth  more  siding  and  flooring  is  needed  than  the  number 
of  square  feet  of  surface  to  be  covered,  because  of  the  lap  in  the 
siding  and  matching. 

One  thousand  laths  will  cover  70  yards  of  surface,  and  11 
pounds  of  lath  nails  will  nail  them  on.  Eight  bushels  of  good 
lime,  16  bushels  of  sand,  and  one  bu.shel  of  hair,  will  make  enough 
good  mortar  to  plaster  100  square  yards. 


A  cord  of  stone,  3  bushels  of  lime  and  a  cubic  yard  of  sand, 
will  lay  100  cubic  feet  of  wall. 

Five  courses  of  brick  will  lay  one  foot  in  height  on  a  chimney; 
16  bricks  in  a  course  will  make  a  flue  -1  inches  wide  and  12  inches 
long,  and  8  bricks  in  a  course  will  make  a  flue  8  inches  wide  and 
16  inches  long. 

Cement  1  bushel  and  sand  2  bushels  will  cover  33/2  square 
yards  1  inch  thick,  4)^  square  yards  %  inch  thick,  and  Q^  square 
yards  14  inch  thick.  One  bushel  cement  and  1  of  sand  will  cover 
23^2  square  yards  1  inch  thick,  3  square  yards  ^  inch  thick,  and 
43^  square  yards  32  inch  thick. 


Food  for 
Plants 

207 


Weight  of  a  Cubic  Foot  of  Earth,  Stone,  Metal,  Etc. 


Article.  Pounds. 

Alcohol 49 

Ash  wood 53 

Bay  wood 51 

Brass,  gim  metal 543 

Blood 66 

Brick,  common 102 

Cork 15 

Cedar 35 

Copper,  cast 547 

Clay 120 

Coal,  Lehigh 56 

Coal,  Lackawanna 50 

Cider 64 

Chestnut 38 

Earth,  loose 94 

Glass,  window 165 

Gold 1,^ 

Hickory,  shell  bark 43 

Hay,  bale 9 

Hay,  pressed 25 

Honey 90 

Iron,  cast 450 

Iron,  plates 481 

Iron,  wrought  bars 486 

Ice _ 5714 

Lignum  Vitse  wood 83 

Logwood 57 

Lead,  cast 709 


Article.  Pounds. 

Milk 64 

Maple 47 

Mortar 110 

Mud 102 

Marble,  Vermont 165 

Mahogany 66 

Oak,  Canadian 54 

Oak,  live,  seasoned 67 

Oak,  white,  dry 54 

Oil,  linseed 59 

Pine,  yellow 34 

Pine,  white 34 

Pine,  red 37 

Pine,  well  seasoned 30 

Silver 625% 

Steel,  plates 487% 

Steel,  soft 489 

Stone,  common,  about..  158 

Sand,  wet,  about.. 128 

Spruce 31 

Tin 455 

Tar 63 

Vinegar 67 

Water,  salt 64 

Water,  rain 62 

Willow 36 

Zmc,  cast 428 


What  a  Deed  to  a  Farm  in  Many  States  Includes 

Every  one  knows  it  conveys  all  the  fences  standing  on  the 
farm,  but  all  might  not  think  it  also  included  the  fencing-stuff, 
posts,  rails,  etc.,  which  had  once  been  used  in  the  fence,  but  had 
been  taken  down  and  piled  up  for  future  use  again  in  the  same 


Food  for  place.  But  new  fencing  material,  just  bought,  and  never  attached 
P^^^^s  to  the  soil,  would  not  pass.  So  piles  of  hop  poles  stored  away,  if 
~^  once  used  on  the  land  and  intended  to  be  again  so  used,  have 
been  considered  a  part  of  it,  but  loose  boards  or  scaffold  poles 
merely  laid  across  the  beams  of  the  barn,  and  never  fastened  to 
it,  would  not  be,  and  the  seller  of  the  farm  might  take  them  away. 
Standing  trees,  of  course,  also  pass  as  part  of  the  land;  so  do  trees 
blown  down  or  cut  down,  and  still  left  in  the  woods  where  they 
fell,  but  not  if  cut,  and  corded  up  for  sale;  the  wood  has  then 
become  personal  property. 

If  there  be  any  manure  in  the  barnyard,  or  in  the  compost 
heap  on  the  field,  ready  for  immediate  use,  the  buyer  ordinarily, 
in  the  absence  of  any  contrary  agreement,  takes  that  also  as  be- 
longing to  the  farm,  though  it  might  not  be  so,  if  the  owner  had 
previously  sold  it  to  some  other  party  and  had  collected  it  together 
in  a  heap  by  itself,  for  such  an  act  might  be  a  technical  severance 
from  the  soil,  and  so  convert  real  into  personal  estate;  and  even 
a  lessee  of  a  farm  could  not  take  away  the  manure  made  on  the 
place  while  he  was  in  occupation.  Growing  crops  also  pass  by 
the  deed  of  a  farm,  unless  they  are  expressly  reserved;  and  when 
it  is  not  intended  to  convey  those,  it  should  be  so  stated  in  the 
deed  itself;  a  mere  oral  agreement  to  that  effect  would  not  be,  in 
most  States,  valid  in  law.  Another  mode  is  to  stipulate  that 
possession  is  not  to  be  given  until  some  future  day,  in  which  case 
the  crops  or  manures  may  be  removed  before  that  time. 

As  to  the  buildings  on  the  farm,  though  generally  mentioned 
in  the  deed,  it  is  not  absolutely  necessary  they  should  be.  A  deed 
of  land  ordinarily  carries  all  the  buildings  on  it,  belonging  to  the 
grantor,  whether  mentioned  or  not;  and  this  rule  includes  the 
lumber  and  timber  of  any  old  building  which  has  been  taken  down, 
or  blown  down,  and  packed  away  for  future  use  on  farm. 

Relative  Value  of  Different  Foods  for  Stock. 

One  hundred  pounds  of  good  hay  for  stock  are  equal  to: 

Articles.                                      Pounds.  Articles.  Pounds. 

Beets,  white  silesia 669  Lucern 89 

Turnips 469  Clover,  red,  dry 88 

Rye--Straw 429  Buckwheat 783/^ 

Clover,  Red,  Green 373  Corn 62>^ 

Carrots 371  Oats 59 

Mangolds 3683^         Barley 58 

Potatoes,  kept  in  pit. ...  350  Rye 53^ 

Oat-Straw 347  Wheat 443^ 

Potatoes 360  Oil-Cake,  linseed 43 

Carrot  leaves  (tops) 135  Peas,  dry 373^2 

Hay,  English 100  Beans 28 


Food  for 

Hints  for  Farmers.  Plants 


Vincent's  Remedies  for  farm  animals  have  been  used  with       ^°9 
considerable  success  for  several  years,  and  they  are  recommended 
here  as  being  worthy  of  trial. 

First  for  Horses.  When  horses  have  chills,  or  have  taken 
cold,  or  have  colic,  15-20  drops  of  Aconite  in  a  teacup  of  warm 
water  will  start  perspiration,  and  if  the  horses  are  kept  heavily 
blanketed,  if  the  ailments  are  not  more  than  ordinary,  they  will 
come  out  of  them  in  good  condition. 

For  Cattle.  When  cows  get  chilled,  and  if  for  any  reason 
after  dropping  calves,  the  cows  appear  to  shake,  15  drops  of 
Aconite  in  a  teacup  of  warm  water  will  start  perspiration,  and  if 
the  cows  are  kept  well  blanketed,  they  will  come  out  of  the  trouble 
without  further  treatment,  unless  the  ailments  are  more  than 
usual. 

For  Calves.  A  disease  which  has  killed  many  fine  young 
animals,  even  under  the  best  conditions,  is  known  as  "scours." 
Vincent's  cure  in  this  case  is  a  teaspoonful  of  Essence  of  Pepper- 
mint in  half  a  teacup  of  warm  water.  This  is  to  be  administered 
after  feeding  night  and  morning,  and  is  almost  a  certain  cure, 
having  saved  the  lives  of  many  valuable  calves. 

For  Sheep.  A  disease  known  as  "stretches,"  caused  by 
some  stoppage  in  the  bowels,  can  be  frequently  remedied  by  rais- 
ing the  sheep  by  its  hind  legs  and  holding  it  in  that  position  for 
some  minutes.  In  nine  cases  out  of  ten,  a  permanent  cure  is 
effected.  This  is  worth  remembering  on  account  of  many  sheep 
having  died  from  this  cause. 

Weights  and  Measures  for  Cooks,  Etc. 

1  pound  of  wheat  flour  is  equal  to 1  quart 

1  pound  and  2  ounces  of  Indian  meal  make 1  quart 

1  pound  of  soft  butter  is  equal  to 1  quart 

1  pound  and  2  ounces  of  best  brown  sugar  make 1  quart 

1  pound  and  1  ounce  of  powdered  white  sugar  make 1  cjuart 

1  pound  of  broken  loaf  sugar  is  equal  to 1  quart 

4  large  tablespoonfuls'  make 3^  gill 

1  common-sized  tumbler  holds 3^  pint 

1  common-sized  wine-glass  is  equal  to 3^  gill 

1  tea-cup  holds 1  gill 

1  large  wine-glass  holds 2  ounces 

1  tablespoonful  is  equal  to 3^  ounce 

Capacity  of  Cisterns  for  Each  10  Inches  in  Depth. 

25      feet  in  diameter  holds 3059  gallons 

20      feet  in  diameter  holds 1958  gallons 

15      feet  in  diameter  holds 1101  gallons 


Food  for  14      feet  in  diameter  holds 959  gallons 

^Plants  ;^3      fggi-  i^  diameter  holds 827  gallons 

2IO       12      feet  in  diameter  holds 705  gallons 

1 1      feet  in  diameter  holds 592  gallons 

10      feet  in  diameter  holds 489  gallons 

9      feet  in  diameter  holds 396  gallons 

8      feet  in  diameter  holds 313  gallons 

7      feet  in  diameter  holds 239  gallons 

61/2  feet  in  diameter  holds 206  gallons 

6      feet  in  diameter  holds 176  gallons 

5      feet  in  diameter  holds 122  gallons 

43/^  feet  in  diameter  holds 99  gallons 

4      feet  in  diameter  holds 78  gallons 

3      feet  in  diameter  holds 44  gallons 

23/^  feet  in  diameter  holds 30  gallons 

2      feet  in  diameter  holds 19  gallons 


Surveyor's  Measure. 

7.92  inches  1  link,  25  links  1  rod,  4  rods  1  chain,  10  square 
chains  or  160  square  rods  1  acre,  640  acres  1  square  mile. 


Strength  of  Ice  of  Different  Thickness. 

Two  inches  thick — ^will  support  a  man. 

Four  inches  thick — ^will  support  a  man  on  horseback. 

Five  inches  thick — ^will  support  an  eighty -pound  cannon. 

Eight  inches  thick — will  support  a  battery  of  artillery,  with 
carriages  and  horses. 

Ten  inches  thick — will   support  an  army;    an  innumerable 
multitude. 

Amount  of  Oil  in  Seeds. 

Kinds  of  Seed.  Per  Cent.  Oil.  Kinds  of  Seed.  Per  Cent.  Oil 

Rapeseed 55  Oats Q}/^ 

Sweet  almond 47  Clover  hay 5 

Turnipseed 45  Wheat  bran 4 

White  mustard 37  Oat  straw 4 

Bitter  almond 37  Meadow  hay 3^^ 

Hempseed 19  Wheat  straw 3 

Linseed 17  Wheat  flour 3 

Indian  corn 7  Barley 2}^ 


Food  foi 
Plants 

To  Revive  Ferns.  

211 

Nitrate  of  Soda  dissolved  in  water  should  be  given  to  ferns 
that  are  small  or  weak,  one-quarter  of  an  ounce  of  Nitrate  to  a 
gallon  of  water.  One-half  an  ounce  of  Nitrate  to  a  gallon  of  water 
should  be  used  on  plants  that  are  large  and  vigorous.  Soot  and 
salt  are  also  good  to  use  occasionally. 


How  to  Kill  Poison  Ivy. 

Spraying  with  arsenate  of  soda  (one  pound  to  twenty  gallons 
of  water)  will  kill  all  vegetation.  One  application,  if  the  plants 
are  young  and  tender,  will  do  this.  In  the  middle  of  summer, 
however,  they  should  be  cut  down  first,  and  more  than  one  appli- 
cation given. 


To  Find  the  Number  of  Plants  to  the  Acre. 

Divide  the  number  of  square  feet  in  an  acre,  which  is  43,560 
by  the  multiplied  distance  the  plants  are  set  each  way.  For  in- 
stance: Suppose  the  plants  are  set  two  feet  apart  and  the  rows 
are  four  feet  apart.  Four  times  two  are  eight;  dividing  43,560 
by  eight  we  have  5,445,  the  number  of  plants  to  the  acre  when  set 
2  feet  by  4  feet.  If  set  5  by  1,  there  are  8,712  plants  to  the  acre, 
etc. 


Results  of  Saving  Small  Amounts  of  Money. 

The  following  shows  how  easy  it  is  to  accumulate  a  fortune, 
provided  proper  steps  are  taken.  The  table  shows  what  would 
be  the  result  at  the  end  of  fifty  years  by  saving  a  certain  amount 
each  day  and  putting  it  at  interest  at  the  rate  of  six  per  cent. : 

Daily  Savings.                     The  Result.  Daily  Savings.  The  Result. 

One  cent $    950             Sixty  cents $57,024 

Ten  cents 9,504             Seventy  cents 66,528 

Twenty  cents 19,006            Eighty  cents 76,032 

Thirty  cents 28,512             Ninety  cents 85,537 

Forty  cents 38,015             One  dollar 95,041 

Fifty  cents 47,520             Five  dollars 465,208 

Nearly  every  person  wastes  enough  in  twenty  or  thirty  years, 
which,  if  saved  and  carefully  invested,  would  make  a  family  quite 
independent;  but  the  principle  of  small  savings  has  been  lost  sight 
of  in  the  general  desire  to  become  wealthy. 


Food  for 
Plants 


Savings  Bank  Compound  Interest  Table. 

Showing  the  amount  of  $1.00,  from  one  year  to  fifteen  years, 
with  compound  interest  added  semi-annually,  at  different  rates: 


One  year 

Two  years 

Three  years . . . 

Four  years 

Five  years 

Six  years 

Seven  years. . . 
Eight  years. . . . 
Nine  years .... 

Ten  years 

Eleven  years . . 
Twelve  years . . 
Thirteen  years 
Fourteen  years 
Fifteen  years . . 


Three 
Per  Cent. 


$1.03 


06 
09 
.12 
16 
.19 
.23 
.26 
.30 
.34 
.38 
.42 
.47 
.51 
1.56 


Four 
Per  Cent. 


!1.04 
1.08 
1.12 
1.17 
1.21 
1.26 
1.31 
1.37 
1.42 
1.48 
1.54 
1.60 
1.67 
1.73 
1.80 


Five 
Per  Cent. 


$1.05 
1.10 
1.15 
1.21 
1.28 
1.34 
1.41 
1.48 
1.55 
1.63 
1.72 
1.80 
1.90 
1.99 
2.09 


Time  at  which  Money  Doubles  at  Interest. 

Rate.  Simple  Interest.  Compound  Interest. 

Two  per  cent 50  years 35  years,  1  day 

Two  and  one-half  per  cent .  40  years 28  years,  26  days 

Three  per  cent 33  years,  4  months .  .  23  years,  164  days 

Three  and  one-half  per  cent28  years,  208  days 20  years,  54  days 

Four  per  cent 25  years 17  years,  246  days 

Four  and  one-half  per  cent. 22  years,  81  days. .  .  15  years,  273  days 

Five  per  cent 20  years 15  years,  75  days 

Six  per  cent 16  years,  8  months.  .  11  years,  327  days 

One  dollar  loaned  one  hundred  years  at  compound  interest 
at  three  per  cent,  woidd  amount  to  $19.25,  at  six  per  cent,  to 
$340.00. 


Food  for 

The  Cost  of  Nitrate  of  Soda.     ^^^^^ 


Its  Use  more  Profitable  than  ever. 

The  steady  upward  movement  in  prices  of  Nitrate 
of  Soda  has  been  attracting  widespread  attention,  and 
the  uninterrupted  gradual  rise  in  prices  is  warranted, 
based  on  sohd  facts  which  govern  the  industry.  Labor 
troubles  and  the  extra  cost  of  production,  together  with 
the  steady  increase  in  the  consumption,  have  been  and 
are  factors  in  the  situation.  The  increase  in  the  con- 
sumption in  this  country  for  several  years  has  been 
striking.  Labor  troubles  in  the  Nitrate  regions  follow- 
ing the  great  earthquake,  as  the  laborers  wended  their 
way  to  Valparaiso  and  other  sections  of  the  country 
where  better  wages  w^ere  paid  them,  caused  considerable 
irregularity  of  shipments,  and  vessels  experienced  long 
delays,  owing  to  the  scarcity  of  labor  to  move  the  goods. 

The  tremendous  demand  for  agricultural  purposes, 
however,  has  really  caused  the  rise  in  price.  The  con- 
sumption all  over  the  world  for  agricultural  purposes 
has  expanded  at  a  very  great  rate  lately,  and  perhaps 
more  particularly  in  this  country  in  the  cotton  belt 
than  anywhere  else.  This  great  demand  has  grown  very 
rapidly,  hence  the  effect  on  prices.  Production  is  likely 
to  expand  so  as  to  fully  meet  the  fresh  demand  as  rapidly 
as  the  supply  of  labor  can  be  provided  for  on  the  West 
coast  of  Chile.  The  earthquake  was  followed  by  a  wave 
of  rebuilding  activity  which  made  labor  very  scarce 
and  high. 

Looking  at  the  prices  current,  taking  the  price  for 
all  Nitrogenous  fertilizers,  it  will  be  noted  that  they  have 
likewise  risen.  Many  observers  of  the  (Nitrogen)  am- 
moniate  market  in  recent  years  have  asserted  that  there 
are  not  enough  ammoniates  annually  produced  to  meet 
the  consumption  requirements,  and  the  tendency  on 
the  part  of  fertilizer  manufacturers  is  to  make  lower 
grade  goods ;  a  policy  which  seems  to  have  invariably  a 
disastrous  effect  on  those  who  follow  it. 

It  is  proper  to  observe  also  that  all  the  Nitrogen  in 
Nitrate  of  Soda  is  available.    In  the  other  ammoniates 


Food  for  generally  quoted  the  Nitrogen  is,  of  course,  not  com- 

^^  pletely  available  from  an  agricultural  standpoint  even 

214  though  some  may  be  soluble  in  water.  Nitrate  does  not 
leave  an  acid  residue  in  the  soil,  but,  on  the  contrary, 
it  leaves  a  sweet  alkali  residue,  of  great  benefit  to  most 
soils. 

A  further  point  of  interest  is  the  very  satisfactory 
increase  in  the  prices  of  agricultural  commodities 
whereby  farmers  are  getting  a  very  handsome  return  on 
their  produce.  It  would  seem,  therefore,  that  on  the 
whole  Nitrate  of  Soda  is  still  the  cheapest  ammoniate 
on  the  market,  and  it  is  to  be  expected  that  its  intelli- 
gent use  will  yield  more  profit  than  ever. 

Nitrate  always  pays  handsomely  on  hay,  and  one 
hundred  pounds  per  acre  alone  is  a  very  effective  appH- 
cation.  Even  at  the  present  prices  for  Nitrate,  one 
hundred  pounds  without  the  use  of  any  other  fertilizer, 
will  produce  an  increased  yield  of  more  than  half  a  ton 
of  barn-cured  hay.  The  use  of  Nitrate  on  this  crop 
promises  to  be  very  remunerative. 


POINTS  FOR  CONSIDERATION  AS  TO 

PRICES  OF  FARM  PRODUCTS 

AND  NITRATE  PRICES. 

From  the  farmer's  point  of  view,  a  reduction  in 
cotton  and  produce  prices  is  to  be  deplored,  but  the 
point  to  be  considered  is  whether  abstention  from  the 
use  of  Nitrate  is  a  wise  way  of  meeting  the  situation. 
The  utility  of  a  fertilizer  obviously  depends  upon  its 
productivity,  and  as  its  productivity  is  not  affected  by 
its  price,  an  increase  in  the  latter  justifies  abandonment 
of  the  fertilizer  only  when  its  productivity  ceases  to  be 
profitable.  The  profit  to  be  reasonably  expected  from 
the  use  of  fertilizer,  although  somewhat  less  than  when 
it  was  cheaper,  is  not  so  materially  interfered  with  by 
any  rise  in  price  of  Nitrate  as  to  economically  justify 
any  substantial  reduction  in  its  consumption. 


SUMMARY  OF  INCREASED  YIELDS.         ^oodfor 


From  an  Application  of  100  Pounds  per  Acre  of  Nitrate  of  Soda.  " 

It  should  be  pointed  out  that  in  the  recorded  experi- 
ments with  Nitrate  of  Soda  on  money  crops  heretofore 

pubhshed    in   Experiment   Station   re- 

,  1     1     n    1  •  p  1      X       xvise  in  rncc  oi 

ports     and    buUetms,    iarm    products    -p^^.^  Products, 
were  much  lower  in  price.     The  prices 
of   agricultural  products   have  risen  to   a  high  water 
mark,  and  in  certain  cases  the  advance  has  been  to 
extreme   figures,   and   all   farm   commodities   are   now 
higher  than  they  have  been  for  some  years.    Our  state- 
ments heretofore  published,  showing  the  profit  resulting 
from  the  crop  increases  due  to  the  use  ^^    lyr      •      f 
Nitrate  of  Soda,  if  rearranged  on  a  basis    p^ofi?  Greater, 
of  present  values  for  crops,  would  show 
more  profit  than  before.   It  should  also  be  remarked  that 
the   prices  of  other  ammoniates  have    other  Ammo- 
risen  higher  than  Nitrate  of  Soda,  and    niates  Higher 
it  is,  as  heretofore,  the  cheapest  of  all    than  Nitrate, 
ammoniates  in  the  market.  Probable 

Economists  of  authority  tell  us  that    Stability  of 
^1  j.pr'         -4.  '      t  Farm  Values, 

the  cost  OI  livmg  is  to  remam  tor  a 

considerable  time  on  the  high  basis  now  established,  so 
that  it  is  to  be  expected  that  the  prices  of  agricultural 
products  will  remain  at  a  high  level. 

In  this  connection  your  attention  is  called  to  many 
experiments   with    fertilizers  in  which 
Nitrate  of  Soda  is  said  to  have  been    Good  Results 
used  in  order  to  produce  results  to  be    Due  to  Nitrate, 
exploited  as  due  to  materials  other  than 
this  standard  money  crop  producer.  ajj    , 

Further,  one  may  add,  that  when    ^^IfJ^^^f  ^',f. 
Nitrate  is  used  at  the  rate  of  100  pounds    ^^^  p^^.  ^^^ 
per  acre,   the   actual  cash  increase  in    of  pertUizer. 
Fertilizer  cost  per  acre  is  very  small. 

The   highest  agricultural   authori- 
ties have  established  by  careful  experi-    ^^^^^^ff^^^^ 
mentation  that  100  pounds  of  Nitrate  of    crops. 
Soda    applied    to    the     crops     quoted    Rise  in  Price  of 
has  produced  increased  yields  as  tabu-    Farm  Products. 
lated : 


215 


Food  for  Increased  Yield  per  Acre  of  Crops  receiving  Nitrate 

^^"^^^  at  the  rate  of  100  pounds  to  the  Acre 

216  over  those  receiving  none. 

Wheat 300  pounds  of  grain. 

Oats 400  pounds  of  grain. 

Corn 280  pounds  of  grain. 

Barley 400  pounds  of  grain. 

Potatoes 3,600  pounds  of  tubers. 

Sweet  Potatoes 3,900  pounds  of  tubers. 

Hay 1,000  pounds,  barn-cured. 

Cotton 500  pounds  cotton-seed. 

Sugar-Beets 4,000  pounds  of  tubers. 

Cabbages 6,100  pounds. 

Carrots 7,800  pounds. 

Onions 1,800  pounds. 

Turnips 37  per  cent. 

Strawberries 200  quarts. 

Asparagus 100  bunches. 

Tomatoes 100  baskets. 

Celery 30  per  cent. 

Rye 300  pounds  of  grain. 

Beets 4,000  pounds  of  tubers. 

It  should  be  remembered  that  plants  take  up  most 
of  their  Nitrogen  during  the  early  period  of  their  growth. 

It  is  now  known  that  there  is  not  as  much  danger 
of  it  being  leached  out  of  the  soil  by  the  rains  during 
the  growing  season  as  has  been  generally  believed, 
since  the  rains  seldom  reach  lower  than  the  bottom  of 
the  furrow,  and  the  movement  of  the  soil  moisture  is 
up  instead  of  down.  Besides,  soil  moisture  is  strongly 
held  by  good  soils  by  capillary  attraction. 

Nitrate  of  Soda  looks  somewhat  like  common  dairy 
salt,  and  horses,  cows  and  sheep,  if  they  can  get  to  it, 
may  eat  it  to  an  injurious  extent. 

The  emptied  bags,  especially  in  damp  weather, 
have  more  or  less  Nitrate  adhering  to  them.  After 
emptying,  it  is  a  good  plan  to  soak  in  water,  which  will 
make  an  excellent  hquid  manure,  say  one  empty  bag 
to  a  barrel  of  water. 

If  lumpy,  the  Nitrate  should  be  broken  up  fine, 
which  is  easily  done  by  pounding  it  on  the  barn  floor 


with  the  back  of  a  spade  or  shovel,  or  by  a  hand  grind-  pj"^^^^^ 

ing  machine  made  especially  for  home  mixing,  which  

is  now  in  common  use  in  Europe  and  is  beginning  to  be      ^^7 
used  in  America. 

Nitrate  of  Soda,  unlike  other  ammoniates  and 
*' complete  fertilizers,"  can  be  mixed  with  lime  or  ashes 
without  loss  of  Nitrogen. 

The  fallow  in  modern  agriculture,  S.  Rhodin  (7^. 
Landthr.  Akad.  Haridl  och  Tidskr.,  45  {1906),  No.  1, 
57-72,  fig.  1). — ^The  evidence  and  views  in  regard  to  the 
value  of  bare  fallow,  especially  in  Swedish  agriculture, 
are  briefly  discussed.  While  bare  fallow  of  loose  sandy 
soils  is  not  to  be  recommended,  because  the  losses  of 
Nitrogenous  substances  occurring,  generally  speaking, 
exceed  the  gains  through  Nitration,  this  is  not  the  case 
with  other  types  of  soils.  Here  an  accumulation  of 
Nitrates  takes  place  through  the  fallow,  which  greatly 
benefits  the  following  grain  crop. 

Field  experiments  with  cabbages  in  1903  and  with 
potatoes  in  1904  and  1905  were  conducted  for  the  pur- 
pose of  determining  whether  inoculation  of  sandy  soils 
with  fallow  soil  would  prove  beneficial  on  account  of 
the  large  bacterial  content  of  the  latter.  The  systems  of 
fertilization  followed  are  shown  below,  the  different  plats 
receiving  as  a  basal  fertilizer  37  per  cent,  potash  salt  and 
Thomas  phosphate,  at  the  rate  of  225  to  400  lbs.  per 
acre,  respectively.  The  Nitrate  of  Soda  was  applied  at 
the  rate  of  300  lbs.  per  hectare  (121  lbs.  per  acre)  and  the 
inoculated  soil  at  the  rate  of  6  cubic  yards  per  hectare. 

Yields  per  Acre  and  Percentage  Increase  of  Crops  on  Inoculated 
and  Uninoculated  Gravelly  Soil. 


No  fertilizer 

Potassium    phosphate 

Potassium    phosphate 

+    soil    from    bean 

field 


Cabbages,  1903. 


Pounds 

8,906.88 

24,582.99 


Potassium  phosphate 
+  soil  from  fallow 
field 

Potassium  phosphate 
+  Nitrate  of  Soda. 


33,222.67 
60,834.00 


Per  cent. 
36 
100 

101 

135 
250 


Potatoes,  1904. 


Pounds 
6,791.49 


20,819.84 

23,046.56 
30,172.06 


Per  cent. 

39 

100 


132 
173 


Potatoes,  1905. 


Pounds 
9,908.90 
15,809.72 


20,485.83 

18,370.44 
23,046.56 


Per  cent. 
62 
100 


116 
145 


Food  for  FARMERS'  BULLETIN  No.  107. 

Plants 


218 


Prepared  in  the  Office  of  Experiment  Stations, 
Washington,  D.  C. 

"Under  existing  conditions  farmers  are  advised  to 
purchase  fertilizer  materials  and  to  make  their  own  mix- 
tures rather  than  to  purchase  mixed  or  complete  special 
fertilizers.  This  course  is  believed  to  be  advisable  for 
two  reasons:  First,  because  the  'specials'  are  not 
properly  compounded,  and  second,  because  the  needed 
plant  food  can  be  thus  procured  at  lower  cost."* 

The  continuous  use  of  muriate  of  potash  may  so  far 
deplete  the  soil  of  lime  that  an  occasional  application 
of  this  material  may  be  required  in  the  case  of  such  use. 
The  sulphate  of  potash  is  a  safer  material  to  use 
where  a  growth  of  clover  is  desired  than  the  muriate, 
and  therefore  it  may  often  be  wise  to  use  the  sulphate. 
The  high-grade  sulphate  should  be  selected. 

These  materials  should  as  a  rule  be  mixed  just 
before  use,  and  applied  broadcast  (after  plowing)  and 
harrowed  in  just  before  planting  the  seed.  Where  Ni- 
trate of  Soda  is  to  be  used  in  quantities  in  excess  of  150 
poimds  per  acre,  one-half  the  amount  of  this  salt  may  be 
withheld  until  the  crop  is  3  or  4  inches  high,  when  it  may 
be  evenly  scattered  near  the  plants.  It  is  unnecessary 
to  cover  this,  though  it  may  prove  more  promptly 
effective  in  absence  of  rain  if  cultivated  in. 

The  quantities  recommended  are  in  most  cases 
moderate.  On  soils  of  good  physical  character  it  will 
often  prove  profitable  to  use  about  one  and  one-half 
times  the  amounts  given. 

Terms  Used  in  Discussing  Fertilizers. 

Nitrogen  may  exist  in  three  distinct  forms,  viz.' 
as  Nitrates,  as  Nitrogenous  organic  matter,  as  am- 
monia salts. 

Nitrates  furnish  the  most  readily  available  forms 
of  Nitrogen.     The  most  common  is  Nitrate  of  Soda. 

Nitration,  or  Nitrification,  is  the  process  by  which 

*U.  S.  Department  Agriculture  Farmers'  Bulletins,  65  and  84  (Experiment 
Station  Work,  11,  page  27;  VII,  page  5). 


soluble  Nitrate  is  formed  from  the  less  available  and  ^?°<*  ^^"^ 
less  soluble  Nitrogen  of  sulphate  of  ammonia,  dried 


blood,  cotton-seed  meal,  tankage,  etc.  It  is  due  to  -^9 
the  action  of  microscopic  organisms,  and  all  nitrogenous 
fertilizers  must  undergo  this  process  of  Nitration  before 
plants  can  use  them. 

Phosphoric  Acid,  one  of  the  essential  fertilizing 
ingredients,  is  derived  from  materials  called  phosphates. 
It  does  not  exist  alone,  but  in  combination,  most  com- 
monly as  phosphate  of  lime  in  the  form  of  bones  and 
Rock  phosphate.  Phosphoric  acid  occurs  in  fertilizers 
in  two  forms — available  and  insoluble  phosphoric  acid. 

Superphosphate. — In  natural  phosphates  the 
phosphoric  acid  is  insoluble  in  water  and  not  available 
to  plants,  except  in  the  form  of  a  very  fine  powder. 
Superphosphate  is  prepared  from  these  by  grinding  and 
treating  with  sulphuric  acid,  which  makes  the  phos- 
phoric acid  more  available.  Superphosphates  are  some- 
times called  acid-phosphates. 

Potash,  as  a  constituent  of  fertilizers,  exists  in  a 
number  of  forms,  but  chiefly  as  sulphate  and  muriate. 
The  chief  sources  of  potash  are  the  potash  salts,  muriate 
of  potash,  sulphate  of  potash.  Canada  wood  ashes  and 
cotton-hull  ashes  are  also  sources  of  potash,  as  is  also 
Nitrate  of  Potash. 

Ammoniates.     Nitrogenous  Fertilizers. 

Per  Cent.  Lbs.  Nitrogen 

Nitrogen.  Per  Ton. 

Nitrate  of  Soda 15 .00  300 

Cyanamid 17 .  00  340 

Dried  blood 13 .  00  260 

Tankages 4.00  to  12.00  80  to  240 

Dry  fish  scrap 9.00  180 

Cotton-seed  meal 6 .  80  136 

Barnyard  manure 0 .  05  1 

Castor  pomace 5 .00  100 

Bone  meal 3.00  60 

Phosphates. 

Per  Cent.  Lbs.  Phosphoric 

Phosphoric  Acid.  Acid  Per  Ton. 

Superpho-sphate 14  280 

Ground  bone 22  440 

Bone  tankage 12  240 

Barnyard  manure 0.32  6.40 


Food  for  Potashes. 

Plants 

Per  Cent.  Actual  Lbs.  Potash. 

220                                                                                              Potash.  Per  Ton. 

Nitrate  of  Soda 1  to  3  20  to  60 

Sulphate  of  potash 48  960 

Muriate  of  potash 50  1,000 

Waste  from  gunpowder  works       18  360 

Maryland  marls 1 .  25  25 

Castor  pomace 1.5  30 

Tobacco  stems 7.5  150 

Barnyard  manure 0 .  43  8.6 

Sodas. 

Per  Cent.  Actual  Lbs.  Soda 

Soda.  Per  Ton. 

Carbonate  of  Soda 50  1,000 

Sulphate  of  Soda 43  860 

Nitrate  of  Soda 35  700 


Some  Practical   Hints   Regarding 
Nitrate. 

It  is  the  quickest  acting  plant  food  known. 

It  is  immediately  available  for  the  use  of  plants  as 
soon  as  it  goes  into  solution. 

It  does  most  of  its  work  in  one  season.  More  must 
not  be  expected  of  it,  as  it  gives  quick  returns  and  large 
profits  when  properly  applied.  It  tends  to  sweeten  sour 
land. 

When  applied  broadcast  it  should  be  evenly  distrib- 
uted. In  applying  100  pounds  to  an  acre,  one  pound 
has  to  be  evenly  spread  over  48  square  yards,  and  this 
requires  care  and  skill. 

It  is  well  to  mix  it  with  sand,  marl,  ashes,  land 
plaster  or  some  other  finely  divided  material  of  about 
the  same  weight  in  order  to  secure  a  more  even  distribu- 
tion. 

Where  plants  are  grown  in  hills  or  rows  it  should 
be  applied  near  the  growing  plants  and  thoroughly 
mixed  with  the  soil. 

It  does  not  matter  whether  it  is  sown  in  dry  or  wet 
weather  except  that  when  applied  broadcast  to  crops 


like  cabbage,  which  have  a  large  leaf  surface,  it  should  l^^^l""" 
be  done  when  the  leaves  are  not  wet  from  rain  or  dew.       

It  does  not  blow  away,  and  dews  are  sufficient  to      "i 
dissolve  it.    It  is  not  necessary  to  wait  for  rain. 

It  should  be  sown  early  in  the  spring  for  cereals, 
just  as  they  are  starting  to  make  their  first  growth;  for 
roots,  after  they  are  transplanted  or  set  out. 

Autumn  sowing  is  generally  not  advisable  except  as 
an  extra  top-dressing  for  Danish  or  winter  cabbage  just 
as  they  are  starting  to  head,  which  is  practised  very 
profitably  by  large  cabbage  growers. 

It  enables  the  plant  to  make  use  of  the  necessary 
mineral  elements  in  the  soil  to  the  best  advantage. 

There  are  no  unknown  conditions  that  enter  it,  in 
reference  to  the  solubility,  and  hence  the  availability 
of  Nitrate  of  Soda. 

The  points  to  be  observed  in  the  use  ,  r.  •  + 

of  Nitrate  of  Soda  are :  Avoid  an  excess,    ^,^?f  ^,V;^^*^ 

•    1  1  .PI-  -ii     J         as  to  Metnoa 

do  not  sprmkle  wet  foliage  witli  dry  ^^  Application. 
Nitrate,  and  in  general  Nitrate  must 
not  be  allowed  to  come  in  contact  with  the  stems  or 
leaves  of  plants.  Nitrate  of  Soda  is  a  nitrated  nitrogen 
and  is  immediately  available  as  plant  food.  Applica- 
tions of  Nitrate  of  Soda  may  be  made  at  the  rate  of  100 
pounds  to  the  acre.  There  is  no  nitrogenous  fertilizer 
in  the  market  at  the  present  time,  which  sells  as  low 
for  the  nitrogen  contained  in  it.  In  looking  at  quo- 
tations nitrogen  in  dried  blood,  tankages  and  mixed 
fertilizers  costs  anywhere  from  sixteen  to  twenty  cents 
per  pound.  Nitrate  is,  therefore,  the  cheapest  fertilizer 
in  the  market.  It  should  be  borne  in  mind  that  prices 
for  all  agricultural  crops  have  risen  proportionately 
much  higher  than  nitrogenous  fertilizers. 

Manures. 
Dr.  Voelcker,  F.R.S.,  made  analyses  of  fresh  and 
rotted  farmyard  manures.  These  analyses  show  a 
larger  percentage  of  soluble  organic  matter  in  rotted 
than  in  fresh  manure.  The  fresh  manure  contains 
more  carbon  and  more  water,  while  in  the  rotted 
manure  the  Nitrogen  is  in  more  available  form  for  root- 
absorption. 


Plants 


Food  for  If  the  process  of  fermentation  has  been  well  man- 

THon^-rH  111        nil  1  •! 

aged,  both  fresh  and  rotted  manures  con  tarn  the  same 
amounts  of  Nitrogen,  phosphoric  acid  and  potash. 
J...  There  should  be  a  sufficient  amount 

of  litter  to  absorb  and  retain  the  urine 
and  also  the  ammonia  formed  in  the  decomposition  of 
the  manure.  Leaves,  straw,  sawdust,  moss,  etc.,  to 
which  is  added  some  peat,  muck,  or  fine,  dry,  loamy 
earth,  mixed  with  gypsum  (land  plaster),  may  be  used 
for  litter.  The  relative  value  of  the  manure  is  dim- 
inished by  the  use  of  too  much  litter,  but  on  the  con- 
trary, if  insufficient  absorbent  material  is  used,  too  much 
moisture  prevents  fermentation  and  the  consequent 
chemical  changes  in  the  nitrogenous  constituents  of 
the  manure. 

The  best  method  for  the  manage- 
I^arm-Y^r*  ^^^^^^^  ""^  farmyard  manure  is  to  make 

Manure.  ^^^  keep  it  under  cover,  in  sheds,  or 

better  still,  in  covered  pits  from  which 
there  can  be  no  loss  by  drainage.  It  should  also  be 
kept  sufficiently  moist,  and  by  the  addition  of  charcoal, 
peat,  or  vegetable  refuse  and  gypsum  the  volatilization 
of  ammonia  may  be  reduced  to  a  minimum.  Manure 
so  made  is  worth  50  per  cent,  more  than  that  thrown 
into  a  heap  in  the  barnyard  to  be  leached  by  the  storms 
of  months  before  being  spread  upon  the  land. 

Where  pits  cannot  be  provided  the  manure  pile 
should  rest  upon  a  hard,  clay  bottom,  or  on  a  thick 
layer  of  peat  or  vegetable  refuse,  which  acts  as  an 
absorbent  and  prevents  the  loss  of  much  liquid  manure. 

The  time-honored  custom  of  hauling  manure  upon 
the  land  and  of  dumping  it  in  small  heaps  from  two 
to  three  feet  in  height,  is  a  wasteful  and  clumsy  practice 
that  should  be  abandoned  by  every  farmer. 

^,  A  simple  and  effectual  way  of  dis- 

Dtsposal^^^^  posing  of  the  night-soil  on  a  farm  is  to 
so  construct  the  closet  that  the  urine 
will  at  once  drain  to  a  lower  level,  and  there  be  mixed 
with  an  equal  quantity  of  quicklime.  The  solid  ex- 
crement should  be  covered  daily  with  a  small  quantity 
of  quickhme  mixed  with  a  little  fine  charcoal  or  peat. 
Such  a  receptacle  can  be  made  by  any  farmer  at  com- 


paratively  little  cost,  and  will  more  than  compensate  ^p^^^"^ 

for  the  care  it  entails  by  doing  away  with  ill-smelling 

odors  and  the  disagreeable  and  often  dangerous  task  of  223 
cleaning  vaults,  besides  furnishing  a  very  rich  manurial 
product  for  admixture  with  farmyard  manure  or  com- 
post. Such  receptacle  should  be  kept  in  the  form  of  a 
shallow  drawer  or  box  with  an  inclined  bottom,  and 
should  rest  upon  stout  runners  like  a  stone  boat  or 
drag,  so  that,  at  frequent  intervals,  it  can  be  drawn  by 
a  horse  to  the  manure  pile  or  compost  heap. 

On  the  bottom  of  the  drawer  should  be  kept  a  thin 
layer  of  quicklime  mixed  with  peat,  wood-pile  dirt,  or 
loam. 

As  an  alkali,  soda  has  no  advantage  over  potash, 
since  the  decomposing  action  of  the  soda  is  rarely  due 
to  its  alkalinity.  If  wood-ashes  are  used  for  potash  the 
lime  carbonate  will  neutralize  the  acid  properties  of 
the  peat,  and  the  growth  of  the  Nitrate  ferment  will 
thus  be  greatly  promoted. 

Soda,  is  in  rare  instances,  needful  as  a  plant  food; 
if  needed  it  would  be  better  economy  to  use  soda  ash. 
In  these  composts  the  writer  invariably  substitutes  kainit, 
or  other  products  of  the  German  mines,  for  common 
salt. 

Sawdust,    leaves,    cornstalks,    tan 
bark,  and  all  kinds  of  coarse  vegetable        Humus.     ""^ 
materials  are  more  rapidly  decomposed 
by  the  aid  of  caustic  alkalies  than  by  any  other  means. 
Coarse  materials,  like  cornstalks,  trimmings  from  fruit 
trees,  hedges,  grape  vines,  etc.,  are  rich  in  plant  food, 
and  instead  of  being  burned  should  be  composted  with 
potash  and  lime  in  separate  heaps.     More  time  must 
be  allowed  for  the  decomposition  of  coarse  materials, 
and  they  should  always  be  composted  in  large  heaps 
and  kept  moist. 

The  process  of  nitration  in  the  niter- 
bed,  the  compost-heap,  or  in  the  soil  is         S'l^'^i'^'J- °^ 

.     ,      ,,     ^  rr^i       p  ,•  p  Nitnncation. 

precisely  the  same.      I  he  tormation  ot 

Nitrates  is  due  to  the  continuous  life  and  development 
of  a  micro-organism  known  as  the  nitric  ferment  or  nitric 
bacteria,  which  lives  upon  the  nitrogenous  organic  mat- 
ters, ammonium  compounds,  and  other  things  present 


^°pf  ^t^  in  the  soil.     The  nitric  ferment  is  a  microscopic  plant 

somewhat  like  the  yeast  used  for  leavening  bread,  and 

224  for  fermenting  malt  liquors;  and  under  favorable  con- 
ditions of  temperature  and  moisture,  and  in  the  pres- 
ence of  oxygen  is  propagated  with  marvelous  rapidity 
in  the  soil.  One  of  the  results  of  the  life  of  this  minute 
plant  is  the  formation  of  Nitrates. 

Nitration  is  extremely  feeble  in  winter  and  at  tem- 
peratures below  40°  F.  almost  entirely  ceases.  It  is 
most  active  at  about  98°  F.  to  99°  F.,  and  is  more  rapid 
in  the  dark  than  in  bright  sunlight.  At  temperatures 
over  100°  F.  the  formation  of  Nitrates  rapidly  decreases 
and  at  131°  F.  entirely  ceases.  As  we  have  just  stated, 
it  has  been  noticed  that  the  nitric  ferment  thrives  best 
in  the  dark,  hence,  this  is  one  good  reason  for  making 
compost  beds  under  sheds  or  in  sheltered  situations. 
When  so  made  the  conditions  for  nitrification  are  more 
favorable  and  the  beds  are  protected  from  the  leaching 
action  of  storms. 

To  ensure  rapid  nitrification  all  the  food  elements 
required  by  the  nitric  ferment  must  be  present.  The 
ash  ingredients  of  plants,  phosphates,  ammonia,  car- 
bonaceous matter,  and  an  excess  of  oxygen  must  be 
present. 

Peat  containing  much  copperas,  coal-tar,  gas-lime 
containing  sulphites  and  sulphides,  kill  the  ferment. 
The  Nitrate  ferment  is  developed  during  the  slow  de- 
cay of  organic  matter  in  all  soils. 


Materials  Used  in  Making  Commercial 
or  Chemical  Fertilizers. 

Nitrate  of  Soda  or  Chile  Saltpetre 
Nitrate  of  Soda  occurs  in  vast  deposits  in  the  rainless 
Salt  etre  districts  of  the  West  coast  of    South 

America,  chiefly  in  Chile,  from  whence 
it  is  imported  to  this  country  for  use  in  chemical  manu- 
facture and  in  agriculture.  As  imported  into  the  United 
States,  Nitrate  of  Soda  usually  contains  about  fifteen 
per  cent,  of  Nitrogen.  Nitrate  of  Soda  resembles  com- 
mon salt,  with  which  and  sodium  sulphate  it  is  often 


adulterated.     This  salt  is  at  once  available  as  a  direct  ^yo^  for 
fertilizer.     Whenever  practicable  it  should  be  applied  — ^_L_ 
as  a  top-dressing  to  growing  crops,  and  if  possible  the      225 
dressings   should  be  given  in  two  or  three  successive 
rations. 

Nitrate  of  Soda  is  usually  applied  at  the  rate  of 
from  100  to  200  pounds  per  acre  on  land  previously 
dressed  with  farm-j^ard  manure.  To  secure  an  even 
distribution,  the  Nitrate  should  be  well  mixed  with 
from  three  to  five  parts  of  fine  loam  or  sand. 

Much  has  been  said  and  written  about  Nitrate  of 
Soda  exhausting  the  soil.  This  is  all  a  mistake  and  is  the 
outcome  of  incorrect  reasoning.  Nitrate  of  Soda  does 
not  exhaust  soils.  It  does  promote  the  development  of 
the  leafy  parts  of  plants,  and  its  effects  are  at  once 
noticeable  in  the  deep,  rich  green,  and  vigorous  growth 
of  crops.  The  growth  of  plants  is  greatly  energized 
by  its  use,  for  the  Nitrate  in  supplying  an  abundance 
of  nitrogenous  food  to  plants,  imparts  to  them  a  thrift 
and  vigor  which  enables  their  roots  to  gather  in  the 
shortest  time  the  largest  amount  of  other  needed  foods 
from  a  greater  surface  of  surrounding  soil.  The  thirty- 
seven  to  forty  per  cent,  of  Soda  w^hich  Nitrate  contains 
is  practically  of  no  use  to  agricultural  plants.  In  the 
increased  crop  obtained  by  its  use  there  must  necessarily 
be  more  potash  and  phosphoric  acid  than  would  have 
been  contained  in  a  smaller  crop  on  which  the  Nitrate 
of  Soda  had  not  been  used.  The  increased  consumption 
of  phosphoric  acid  and  potash  is  due  to  the  increase  in 
the  weight  of  the  crop.  The  office  of  the  Nitrate  is  to 
convert  the  raw  materials  of  the  soil  into  a  crop;  for  we 
obtain  by  its  use,  as  Dr.  Griffiths  has  tersely  said,  "the 
fullest  crop  with  the  greatest  amount  of  profit,  with  the 
least  damage  to  the  land." 

On  cereals  Nitrate  of  Soda  should 
be  used  alone  or  mixed  with  dry  super- 
phosphate and  applied  as  a  top-dressing. 

On  grass  lands  it  may  be  applied  as  a  top-dressing 
at  the  rate  of  150  to  200  pounds  per  acre. 

Some  of  our  most  successful  onion  growers  use 
Nitrate  of  Soda  at  the  rate  of  from  500  to  700  pounds 
per  acre,  applying  the  Nitrate  in  three  successive  top- 


Food  for  dressings,  the  last  ration  being  given  when  the  crop  is 

about  half  grown. 

226  From  what  is  known  of  the  fertilization  action  of 

Nitrate  of  Soda,  the  following  conclusions  may  be  safely 
drawn,  viz.: 

First..  Nitrate  of  Soda  is,  in  most  cases,  a  reliable 
fertilizer  for  cereals,  roots  and  grasses,  increasing  the 
yield  over  other  nitrogenous  fertilizers. 

Second.  Many  crops  grown  with  Nitrate  of  Soda 
mature  from  one  to  two  weeks  earlier  than  when  grown 
with  other  nitrogenized  fertilizers. 

Third.  The  best  results  are  obtained  by  applying 
the  Nitrate  to  crops  in  fractional  top-dressings  during 
the  active  stages  of  growth. 

Fourth.  Crops  grown  with  Nitrate  of  Soda  gener- 
ally have  a  higher  feeding  value  than  those  grown  with 
other  forms  of  Nitrogen. 

Fifth.  Crops  grown  with  Nitrate  of  Soda  seem  to 
resist  the  attacks  of  parasitic  organisms  better  than 
those  grown  without  its  aid. 

Sixth.    Nitrate  of  Soda  does  not  exhaust  the  land. 

Economy  in  the  Purchase  of  Fertilizers. 
Home  Mixtures 

Economy  in  the  purchase  of  fertilizing  materials 
or  of  agricultural  chemicals  depends  not  only  on  the 
price  paid  per  pound  or  per  ton,  but  also  on  the  relation 
existing  between  the  price  paid  and  the  amounts  and 
forms  of  the  Nitrogen,  phosphoric  acid,  and  potash 
furnished.  To  illustrate,  we  will  assume  that  two 
fertilizers,  both  made  from  the  best  class  of  materials, 
are  offered  by  a  manufacturer  at  thirty  dollars  and  at 
thirty-five  dollars  per  ton.  The  first  is  guaranteed  to 
contain  three  per  cent,  of  Nitrogen,  seven  per  cent,  of 
available  phosphoric  acid,  and  three  per  cent,  of  potash. 
The  second  is  guaranteed  to  contain  five  per  cent,  of 
Nitrogen,  ten  per  cent,  of  available  phosphoric  acid, 
and  seven  per  cent,  of  potash. 

We  have  but  to  calculate  the  commercial  values  of 
these  fertilizers  to  ascertain  their  true  relation  to  the 
prices  asked  by  the  manufacturer.    By  simply  multiply- 


ing  the  actual  content  of  Nitrogen,  phosphoric  acid,  and  p^^^^l°^ 

potash  by  the  trade  vahie  for  these  constituents  in  mixed 

fertihzers,  we  find  that  there  is  an  actual  difference  of      227 
nearly  $14  in  their  commercial  values,  whereas  the  diff- 
erence in  price  made  by  the  manufacturer  is  only  $5. 

The  fertilizer  materials  in  the  higher  priced  fertiliz- 
ers are  about  thirty-three  per  cent,  cheaper  than  those 
in  the  lower  priced  article. 

As  a  general  rule  the  more  concentrated  the  form 
of  fertilizing  materials  in  commercial  fertilizers,  or  the 
higher  the  grade  of  unmixed  raw  materials  purchased 
by  the  farmer  for  home  mixing,  the  greater  will  be  the 
saving  in  actual  cost. 

The  higher  the  grade  of  materials  the  less  will  be 
the  expense  for  freight,  mixing,  and  spreading  upon  the 
land. 

There  are  these  decided  advantages  about  the  mix- 
ing of  materials  at  home,  viz.,  each  raw  material  can 
be  separately  examined,  and  if  there  is  any  cause  for 
suspecting  inferior  forms  of  Nitrogen,  phosphoric  acid, 
or  potash,  samples  may  be  sent  to  the  State  Experiment 
Station  for  analysis.  The  detection  of  error  or  fraud 
is  more  certain  and  much  easier  in  unmixed  raw 
materials  than  in  mixed  fertilizers.  Another  important 
advantage  of  home-mixing  is  the  opportunity  afforded 
the  intelligent  farmer  to  adapt  the  composition  of  a 
fertilizer  to  the  special  soil  requirements  of  his  land  and 
to  the  wants  of  the  crop  to  be  grown.  And,  lastly,  home 
mixtures  have,  as  a  rule,  proved  to  be  much  cheaper 
than  ready-made  fertilizers.  However,  the  economy  of 
home-mixing  should  in  every  instance  be  determined  by 
actual  calculation. 

Nitrogen,  phosphoric  acid,  and  potash,  as  we  have 
already  seen,  are  necessary  for  the  complete  develop- 
ment of  farm  crops,  and  are  the  constituents  most  likely 
to  be  deficient  in  cultivated  soils;  different  crops  have 
different  capacities  for  consuming  these  plant  foods,  so 
that  when  no  increase  in  crop  production  follows  a 
rational  application  of  one,  two,  or  all  three  of  these 
constituents  the  soil  evidently  contains  them  in  suffi- 
cient stores  to  develop  crops  to  limitations  fixed  by 
season  and  existing  chmatic  conditions.     By  a  careful 


Food  for  study    of    the   capacities  of  different  crops  for  using 
^^  Nitrogen,  phosphoric  acid,  and  potash,  we  may,  within 
228      reasonable  Umits,  approximate  the  quantities,  which, 
under   average   conditions   of   crop,   soil,    and   season, 
should  be  restored  to  the  land  to  balance  the  consump- 
tion of  growing  crops. 

In  using  fertilizers,  or  in  special  crop  feeding,  it 
should  be  borne  in  mind  that  lands  in  a  high  state  of 
cultivation  generally  respond  to  heavy  fertilization 
with  much  greater  immediate  profit  than  those  of 
ordinary  fertility. 

It  is  estimated  that  the  total  fertilizer  business  of 
our  country  is  not  far  from  six  million  tons.  It  may  be 
somewhat  more,  but,  accepting  six  million  tons  as  the 
figure,  it  would  take  four  hundred  thousand  cars  to 
handle  this  business.  Assuming  the  average  fertihzer 
consumed  to  be  worth  only  twenty  dollars  a  ton,  it 
would  seem  certain  that  forty  per  cent,  of  this  tonnage 
is  absolutely  inefficient  and  useless,  from  every  stand- 
point, since  such  average  fertilizer  which  runs  only 
twenty  dollars  per  ton  contains  fully  forty  per  cent,  of 
filler.  From  this  standpoint,  one  hundred  sixty 
thousand  cars  are  engaged  once  every  year  for  the  season 
in  carrying  filler  material  from  our  fertilizer  factories 
to  our  farmers,  on  which  our  farmers  pay  the  freight. 
This  is  really  perfectly  valueless  to  the  farmer  and 
planter,  and  of  no  ultimate  value  to  the  transportation 
company  in  producing  outbound  tonnage;  neither  does 
it  contribute  in  any  way  to  diminishing  the  high  cost  of 
living, — in  fact,  it  prevents  increasing  our  food  supplies, 
since  it  compels  a  large  body  of  men  engaged  in  produc- 
tion, as  well  as  in  transportation,  from  producing 
anything  of  value  to  anybody.    It  is  sheer  waste. 

The  elimination  of  filler  from  our  fertilizers,  and 
putting  in  its  place  an  active  form  of  nitrogen  to  bring 
up  the  productive  capacity  of  our  fertilizers  to  the 
European  standard, — since  our  average  contains  but  two 
per  cent,  nitrogen,  eight  per  cent,  phosphoric  acid 
and  four  per  cent,  potash,  whilst  the  European  average 
contains  four  and  a  half  per  cent,  nitrogen,  eight  per 
cent,  phosphoric  acid  and  four  per  cent,  potash. — is  a 
crying  necessity.     The  money  which  is  now  expended 


by  our  farmers  for  fertilizers  and  their  transportation  Ij^^j*"" 

should  be  expended  on  material  worthy  of  transporta-  

tion,  for  it  would  immediately  create  different  condi-  229 
tions,  and  would  make  the  fertilizer  communities  now 
served  b^^  the  railroad  immensely  more  prosperous. 
Not  only  w^ould  the  railroads  have  more  outbound 
tonnage,  but  they  would  have  more  inl^ound  tonnage, 
as  a  result  of  the  increased  purchasing  capacity  of  our 
farmers  and  planters. 

Since  we  have  pretty  close  to  three  hundred  million 
acres  of  lands  on  which  fertilizer  could    be    used,  the 


Cotton. 


Cotton— 4  Bales. 

The  average  yield  of  Five 
Egyptian  acres  of  cotton  where 
Nitrate  of  Soda  is  used  at  the 
rate  of  100  lbs.  or  more  to  the 


Cotton — 2  Bales. 

The  average  yield  of  Five 
United  States  acres  of  cotton 
of  average  production  and  aver- 
age fertilization. 


possil)ilities  of  increasing  the  food  supplies  of  all  our 
crops  are  obvious,  since  Nitrate  has  now  been  recognized 
by  accepted  Scientific  Authorities  as  a  crop  producer 
of  first-rate  importance. 

The  average  crop  production  for  six  staple  crops  of 
different  countries  is  stated  hereunder,  as  is  also  the 


Food  for  average  composition  of  fertilizers  used  by  farmers  in 
^^^°*^  the  several  countries : 


230 


Crop 


Cotton 

Oats 

Potatoes 

Sugar  Beets . . . 

Tobacco 

Wheat 

Average  Fertilizer 


United  States 


185  lbs. 
30  bu. 
97.15  bu. 
12  tons 
785.49  lbs. 
14  bu. 
f  2%  Nitrogen* 
8%  Phos.  Acid 
[  4%  Potash 


Egypt 


400  lbs. 


4|%  Nitrogen 
8%  Phos.  Acid 
4%  Potash 


Germany 


48  bu. 
199.84  bu. 
16  tons 
1614.70  lbs. 
28  bu. 
45%  Nitrogen 
8%  Phos.  Acid 
4%  Potash 


England 


45  bu. 


33  bu. 
41%  Nitrogen 
8%  Phos.  Acid 
4%  Potash 


*  The  nitrogen  in  ready  mixed  fertilizers  in  the  United  States  is  frequently  all 
inactive,  and  sometimes  never  available. 

It  will  be  seen  that  the  average  crop  production  of 
staple  crops  is  very  much  greater  in  Europe  and  Egypt 
than  in  this  country.  In  those  countries  enormous 
quantities  of  Chilean  Nitrate  are  used  as  a  fertilizer,  and 
their  average  fertilizer  contains  two  and  a  half  per  cent, 
more  of  active  Nitrogen,  (Nitrate)  than  ours.  This 
corresponds  to  about  three  hundred  pounds  of  Nitrate 
of  Soda  in  each  ton,  and  this  formula  eliminates  most  of 
the  useless  filler. 


The  Home  Mixing  of  Fertilizers 


A  hundred  years  ago  the  farmers  of  America  and 
Europe  had  at  their  disposal  but  few  materials  for  in- 
creasing the  fertility  of  the  land.  Barnyard  manure 
was  then  the  great  fertihzer,  but  only  capable,  as  we 
realize  now,  of  restoring  but  incompletely  the  plant- 
food  carried  away  by  the  crops.  Yet  barnyard  manure 
was  justly  esteemed  for  its  fertilizing  value,  and  on 
many  a  farm  cattle  were  kept,  not  because  they  were 
in  themselves  profitable,  but  because  of  the  manure 
that  they  produced.  However,  for  all  of  the  cattle  kept 
on  the  farms  of  Europe,  the  productive  power  of  its 


soils  was  declining.    At  this  time  the  use  of  bones  be-  pf^^^^"' 
came  prevalent  and  this  marked  the  beginning  of  more 


rational  methods  of  soil  treatment.  231 

The  Rise  of  the  Fertilizer  Mixing  Industry. 

It  was  not  until  the  second  quarter  of  the  nine- 
teenth century,  however,  that  new  and  important  fer- 
tilizer materials  came  into  the  market.  The  increasing 
number  of  soil  and  crop  analyses  had  demonstrated  the 
invariable  presence  of  the  essential  constituents  in  both 
soils  and  plants;  while  the  numerous  vegetation  experi- 
ments showed  that  Nitrogen,  phosphoric  acid  and 
potash  were  often  present  in  the  soil  in  amounts  too 
small  for  profitable  yields. 

There  then  came  into  being  a  great  fertilizer  mix- 
ing industry.  Peruvian  guano  held  for  a  time  a  promi- 
nent place  in  the  agriculture  of  contemporary  Europe. 
It  was  not  long,  however,  before  the  supply  of  the  best 
grades  of  guano  became  depleted,  though  this  did  not 
occur  until  the  chemist  pointed  the  way  to  new  treas- 
ures of  plant-food.  Nitrate  of  Soda,  the  most  valuable 
source  of  commercial  Nitrogen  at  present,  came  to  play 
an  increasingly  important  role  after  the  middle  of  the 
nineteenth  century.  The  potash  salts  of  the  German 
mines  became  a  marketable  commodity  when  the  last 
battles  of  our  civil  war  were  being  fought;  and  when 
the  great  conflict  was  over,  the  phosphate  deposits  of 
South  Carolina,  and  subsequently  of  Florida  and  Ten- 
nessee, w^ere  ready  to  supply  the  third  important  con- 
stituent of  commercial  fertilizers. 

The  Make-Up  of  Commercial  Fertilizers. 

The  fertilizers  sold  to  American  farmers  are  valu- 
able in  so  far  as  they  contain  the  essential  available 
constituents, — ^Nitrogen,  Phosphoric  Acid  and  Potash. 
When  all  are  present  the  fertilizer  is  said  to  be  complete, 
otherwise  it  is  incoiiiflete.  It  is  the  aim  of  the  fertilizer 
mixers  to  supply  to  farmers  both  incomplete  and  com- 
plete fertilizers,  chiefly  the  latter.  Furthermore,  usage 
and  state  legislation  compel  them  to  guarantee  that 
their  various  brands  contain  a  certain  proportion  of  the 


Food  for  essential  constituents,  but,  unfortunately  for  the  farmer, 
^^^°^^  they  do  not  require  any  disclosure  whatever  as  to  the 
232  availabihty  of  the  most  valuable  content,  viz..  Nitrogen; 
hence,  the  attempt  to  state  a  formula  on  the  bags,  or  on 
the  tags  attached  to  the  latter,  is  a  wholly  incomplete 
affair.  As  an  example,  we  may  take  a  fertihzer  whose 
formula  is  4-8-10,  that  is,  one  containing  4  per  cent,  of 
Nitrogen,  8  per  cent,  of  phosphoric  acid  and  10  per  cent, 
of  potash. 

Materials  of  various  qualities  and  grades  are  em- 
ployed for  the  preparation  of  so-called  complete  fer- 
tihzers,  as  may  be  seen  from  the  following  list: 


Materials  Furnishing 

Materials  Furnishing 

MaterialsFurnishing 

Nitrogen. 

Phos.  Acid. 

Potash. 

Nitrate  of  Soda 

Thomas  Slag 

Potash  Salts  (from 

Nitrate  of  Lime, 

Acid  Phosphate, 

Germany), 

Sulphate  of  Ammonia, 

Bone  Meal, 

Unleached  Wood 

Calcium  Cyanamid, 

Phosphatic  Guano, 

Ashes. 

Dried  Blood, 

Fish  Scrap, 

Tankage, 

Bone  Tankage. 

Fish  Scrap, 

Cottonseed  Meal, 

Horn  and  Hoof  Meal, 

Hair  and  Wool, 

Leather  Scrap. 

Aside  from  these  materials,  there  are  others  that  are 
occasionally  employed  by  mixers  to  furnish  filler. 


Availability  in  Fertilizers. 

In  the  making  of  complete  goods  from  the  various 
straight  fertilizers  the  mixer  is  largely  guided  by  the 
cost,  as  well  as  the  quality  of  the  latter.  The  question 
of  quality  is  particularly  important,  since  no^  high  grade 
fertilizer  can  be  made  from  inferior  ingredients.  The 
conception  of  quality  has  been  gradually  developed  by 
investigators  and  farmers  and  the  term  Availability  is 
commonly  employed  when  the  value  of  straight  or  mixed 
fertilizers  is  considered.  We  call  a  fertilizer  Available 
when  the  Nitrogen,  phosphoric  acid  or  potash  contained 


233 


in  it  may  be  readily  used  by  the  crop;   and  not  Avail-  l\^^^l''' 

able  when  it  is  transformed  so  slowly  in  the  soil  as  to  

offer  but  little  plant-food  to  the  crop  at  any  one  time. 
A  striking  illustration  of  the  significance  of  Availability 
in  fertilizers  is  found  in  the  action  of  comparatively 
small  amounts  of  Nitrate  on  grass  or  grain  applied  early 
in  the  spring.  It  has  been  repeatedly  observed  that 
soils  containing  as  much  as  .15  per  cent,  of  Nitrogen, 
or  6,000  pounds  per  acre-foot  out  of  a  total  of  2,000 
tons,  which  such  an  acre-foot  weighs,  and  capable  of 
yielding  about  one  ton  of  hay  per  acre,  may  be  made  to 
produce  two  tons  of  hay  when  top-dressed  in  the  spring 
with  only  100-150  pounds  of  Nitrate.  At  first  it  may 
seem  strange  that  the  23  or  24  pounds  of  Nitrogen  in 
150  pounds  of  Nitrate  of  Soda  should  produce  this 
magic  effect,  when  measured  against  the  6,000  pounds 
of  ordinary  Nitrogen  already  in  the  soil.  But  the  mys- 
tery is  made  clear  to  us  when  we  remember  that  Nitrate 
of  Soda  is  a  soluble  food  that  may  be  directly  taken  up 
by  plant-roots,  whereas  the  Nitrogen  of  the  soil  itself  is 
nearly  all  locked  up  in  inert  humous  compounds  which 
must  first  pass  through  the  various  stages  of  Nitration 
before  they  become  available.  With  some  qualifica- 
tions a  similar  comparison  could  be  made  between  the 
phosphoric  acid  in  ground  phosphate  rock,  known  as 
"floats,"  and  that  in  acid  phosphate;  or  between 
potash  in  feldspar  rock  or  clay  and  that  in  sulphate  of 
potash. 

In  order  to  protect  the  farmer  against  fraud,  fer- 
tilizer laws  have  been  enacted  in  most  of  the  Eastern 
States.  These  laws  compel  the  mixers  and  dealers  to 
guarantee  their  goods,  that  is,  to  state  on  the  bags  or 
"tags  how  much  Nitrogen,  phosphoric  acid  and  potash 
their  fertilizers  contain;  furthermore,  they  are  also 
compelled,  but  in  an  incomplete  measure,  to  guarantee 
the  quality,  i.  e.,  Availability,  of  the  plant-food  sold  by 
them.  The  farmer  is  given,  however,  a  fair  measure  of 
protection  in  so  far  as  the  phosphoric  acid  and  potash 
purchased  by  him  are  concerned.  He  is  told  definitely 
how  much  phosphoric  acid  is  present  in  available  form. 
He  knows,  also,  that  the  potash  in  mixed  fertilizers  is 
derived  almost  exclusively  from  the  German  potash 


^°pf  ^f  salts,  all  of  them  readily  available.     On  the  other  hand, 

^-1  he  is  given  little  protection  in  his  purchase  of  Nitrogen. 

234  To  be  sure,  the  fertilizer  laws  compel  the  mixer  to  state 
how  much  Nitrogen  there  is  present  in  this  commodity; 
yet  he  is  not  compelled  to  tell  the  exact  source  or  avail- 
ability of  the  Nitrogen  employed  by  him.  From  the 
consumer's  standpoint  this  is  a  serious  question,  since 

Barley. 

Pots  manured  with  Phosphoric  Acid,  Potash  and  Nitrate  of  Soda. 


Nitrate 
of  Soda 


1  gr. 


2gr. 


3gr. 


In  agricultural  practice  from  75  lbs.  to  200  lbs.  of  Nitrate  of  Soda 
per  acre  is  applied  in  one  or  more  dressings. 


a  pound  of  Nitrogen  costs  about  four  times  as  much  as 
a  pound  of  either  phosphoric  acid  or  potash.  If  the  law 
required  merely  the  stating  of  the  total  per  cent,  of 
phosphoric  acid  or  of  potash  without  giving  the  amount 
of  soluble  or  available  percentages  of  the  same,  how 
incomplete  the  essential  information  would  be  as  to  the 


235 


nature  or  value  of  the  "so-called"  complete  fertilizers.  ^J^^^f^ 
More  than  that,  the  Nitrogen  is  not  only  costly  but  _ 
calls  for  greater  farming  skill  in  its  use,  lest  the  yields 
and  quality  of  the  produce  be  unfavorably  affected. 
The  Activity  as  well  as  the  Availability  of  Nitrogen  in 
materials  like  leather  scrap,  hair  or  peat  is  but  one- 
fifth  to  one-tenth  as  much  as  that  in  Nitrate  of  Soda, 
and  we  can  therefore  realize  the  necessity  of  complete 
knowledge  as  to  the  agricultural  use  of  Nitrogen. 

It  is  conceded  by  all  authorities  that  more  accurate 
knowledge  in  this  direction  may  be  secured  by  the  prac- 
tice of  HOME-MIXING,  that  is,  by  the  purchase  of 
the  straight  fertilizers  and  their  mixing  at  home  on  the 
farm  in  amounts  and  proportions  best  suited  for  any 
particular  soil  and  crop. 

Advantages  of  Home  Mixing. 

The  practice  of  home-mixing  has  its  friends  as  well 
as  its  opponents,  but  when  all  the  arguments  pro  and 
con  are  summed  up  the  decision  must  be  entirely  in  its 
favor.     The  advantages  claimed  for  Jiome-mixing  are : — 

1.  Better  adaptation  to  soil  and  crop.  Soils  vary  in 
their  chemical  composition,  and  in  their  previous 
history,  as  to  cropping  and  fertilization.  One  soil 
may  be  deficient  in  available  Nitrogen,  another  de- 
ficient in  available  phosphoric  acid.  In  one  in- 
stance a  heavy  application  of  manure,  a  crop  of 
crimson  clover,  or  alfalfa  stubble  may  have  been 
plowed  under;  and  in  a  second  instance  a  thin 
timothy  sod.  Evidently  a  crop  of  corn  would  not 
find  the  same  amounts  and  proportions  of  food  in 
these  cases,  and  it  is  therefore  idle  to  assume  that 
a  so-called  corn  fertilizer,  whatever  its  composition, 
would  prove  as  efficient  in  the  one  case  as  in  the 
other. 

Again,  it  is  common  knowledge  that  some 
crops  are  particularly  grateful  for  applications  of 
Nitrogen,  while  others  are  responsive  to  applica- 
tions of  phosphoric  acid  or  of  potash.     Yet  even 


^°pilnts  ^^^^  ^^^^  ^^^^  ^^^  climate  exert  an  important  modi- 

fying  influence.     For  instance,  clovers  and  other 

236  legumes  are  capable  of  securing  their  Nitrogen 
from  the  air  and,  except  in  the  early  stages  of  groivth, 
are  independent  of  the  supply  in  the  soil  or  fer- 
tilizers. On  the  other  hand,  they  require  large 
amounts  of  potash,  phosphoric  acid  and  lime. 
Nevertheless,  certain  limestone  soils  require  only 
applications  of  potash,  while  many  silt  loam  or 
clay  soils  require  only  applications  of  phosphoric 
acid.  In  a  word,  then,  no  single  formula  for  any 
particular  crop  can  be  devised  to  suit  all  soils  and 
seasons.  When  the  mixing  is  done  on  the  farm, 
proper  adjustment  can  be  made  to  suit  local  con- 
ditions, known  best  by  the  farm  manager  after 
adequate  experience. 

One  advantage  of  fl'ome-Mixing  is  that  the 
farmer  may  make  any  combination  of  plant-food 
he  wishes,  and  know  the  form  and  availability  of 
the  ingredients  of  his  own  fertilizer,  and  he  will 
save  not  only  the  high  price  paid  for  filler,  but  also 
the  cost  of  transporting  it. 

2.  Better  information  concerning  the  quality  of 
materials.  The  present  high  prices  of  organic  am- 
moniates  are  forcing  the  fertilizer  mixers  to  employ 
various  organic  materials  of  inferior  quality.  Since 
the  fertilizer  laws  do  not  require  any  distinction 
between  the  sources  of  Nitrogen,  mixers  feel  free  to 
meet  competition  and  to  reduce  the  cost  of  mixing 
by  employing  inert  materials  like  leather-scrap, 
hair,  wool  and  garbage  tankage.  Moreover,  even 
the  better  grades  of  organic  ammoniates  like  dried 
blood,  tankage,  and  ground  fish  are  now  adulter- 
ated more  than  formerly,  ^ome-mixing  protects 
the  farmer  against  the  use  of  inferior  materials 
and  permits  him  to  purchase  his  Nitrogen  in  the 
readily  available  forms. 

Many  of  the  ingredients  used  by  the  manu- 
facturers of  "complete"  fertilizers  are  produced 
directly  or  indirectly  by  themselves.  Others,  like 
Nitrate  of  Soda,  potash  salts  and  basic  slag,  are 


237 


not  produced  in  this  country.  Naturally  the  l^^^l""' 
manufacturers  will  use  as  much  as  possible  of  the 
materials  produced  by  themselves,  on  which  they 
make  both  a  raw  material  and  a  mixing  profit,  and 
spend  as  httle  as  possible  for  imported  materials 
on  which  they  can  make  but  one  profit. 


Carrots. 

Pots  manured  with  Phosphoric  Acid,  Potash  and  Nitrate  of  Soda. 


Nitrate 
of  Soda 


iHgr- 


3gr. 


^}4  gr. 


In  agricultural  practice  from  2  cwt.  to  4  cwt.  of  Nitrate  of  Soda 
per  acre  is  applied  in  one  or  more  dressings. 


The  "complete"  fertilizer  manufacturers  use 
large  quantities  of  low  grade  materials  which  the 
farmers  would  not  buy  for  Home-Mixing  because 
of  the  doubtful  value  of  the  Nitrogen  owing  to  its 
not  being  available,  that  is,  indigestible  as  plant 
food.  But  the  manufacturer  finds  them  doubly 
valuable  as  filler,  because  he  can  label  his  goods  as 


Food  for  containing   so   and   so   much   Nitrogen,   notwith- 

"^^^  standing  its  indigestible  quality  as  a  plant  food. 


238 


3.  Loiver  cost  pei'  unit  of  plant-food.  As  shown  bj^ 
the  analyses  and  valuations  of  fertilizers  made  by 
different  experiment  stations,  the  so-called  overhead 
charges  made  by  the  mixers  amount,  on  the  aver- 
age, to  more  than  six  dollars  per  ton.  Otherwise 
stated,  the  farmer  who  buys  mixed  fertilizers  is 
made  to  pay  about  six  or  seven  dollars  per  ton  for 
mixing,  bagging,  shipping,  agents'  commissions, 
profit,  long  credit,  etc.  The  overhead  charges  tend 
to  increase  the  cost  per  unit  of  plant-food  in  all 
fertilizers,  and  to  a  particularly  marked  extent  in 
the  cheaper  brands.  Home-mixing  enables  the 
farmer  to  secure  available  plant-food  at  a  lower 
cost  per  unit. 

4.  More  profitable  returns  from  the  use  of  fertilizers 
may  be  secured  ivhen  one  understands  their  com- 
position and  the  functions  of  their  single  ingredients. 
The  man  who  takes  the  trouble  to  make  himself 
acquainted  with  the  origin,  the  history  and  the 
action  of  different  fertilizers  is  perforce  bound  to 
secure  larger  returns  from  them  than  the  man  who 
blindly  follows  the  experience  of  others.  For  this 
reason  the  home-mixing  of  fertilizers  is  an  educa- 
tional factor  of  great  importance.  The  farmer  who 
does  his  own  mixing  is  bound  to  observe  the  effect 
of  season,  of  crop  and  of  rotation.  He  is  bound  to 
learn  something  of  the  particular  influences  of 
Nitrogen,  of  phosphoric  acid  and  of  potash.  In 
the  course  of  time  he  is  led  to  experiment  for  him- 
self, with  different  mixtures,  proportions  and 
methods  of  application,  and  by  doing  all  these 
things  he  becomes  more  skilled  and  successful  in  the 
business  of  crop  production. 

The  opponents  of  home-mixing  have  claimed,  on 
their  part,  that  the  farmer  cannot  prepare  mixtures  as 
uniform  as  those  made  at  the  factory.  They  have  also 
claimed  that  the  mixtures  made  at  the  farm  are  more 


costly  than  similar  mixtures  made  at  the  factory.    As  Ij^^j^"" 

to  the  first  of  these  objections,  it  has  been  demonstrated  

by  most  of  the  experiment  stations  in  the  East  and  the  239 
South  that  home-mixtures  can  be  made  mechanically 
as  satisfactory  as  the  best  of  the  commercial  brands. 
It  is  merely  necessary  to  screen  the  single  ingredients 
and  to  use  some  sort  of  a  filler  hke  dry  peat  or  fine  loam 
to  prevent  caking.  The  second  objection  is  not  at  all 
borne  out  by  the  actual  experience  of  farmers  who  have 
been  using  home-mixtures  for  years. 

Equipment  and  Methods  for  Home-Mixing. 

The  equipment  required  for  home-mixing  is  very 
simple  and  inexpensive.  It  consists  of  a  screen  with 
three  (3)  meshes  to  the  inch,  and  about  4-5  feet  long 
and  IV2  to  2  feet  wide,  a  shovel  with  square  point,  an 
iron  rake,  and  platform  scales. 

The  mixing  may  be  done  on  a  tight,  clean  barn 
floor,  and  a  heavy  wooden  post  is  useful  for  crushing 
big  lumps  of  the  material;  frequently  the  use  of  a 
sieve  may  be  dispensed  with  by  this  means. 

Previous  to  mixing,  the  materials  are  screened,  the 
lumps  broken  up  and  again  screened.  The  mixing  may 
then  be  best  accomplished  by  spreading  out  the  most 
bulky  constituent  in  a  uniform  layer  about  six  inches 
thick.  The  next  most  bulky  constituent  is  then  similarly 
spread  out  on  top  of  the  first,  and  is  followed  in  its  turn 
by  the  others  until  the  pile  is  complete.  The  several 
layers  are  then  thoroughly  mixed  by  shovelhng  the  en- 
tire heap  three  or  four  times.  Thorough  mixing  is 
shown  by  the  absence  of  streaks  of  different  materials. 
The  mixture  may  be  put  in  bags  or  other  convenient 
receptacles  and  kept  in  a  dry  place  until  needed. 

In  mixing  various  materials  some  knowledge  is  re- 
quired concerning  the  action  of  different  ingredients 
upon  each  other.  Such  knowledge  will  prevent  the 
danger  of  loss  of  constituents  or  the  deterioration  of 
quality.  The  materials  that  should  not  be  employed 
together  in  mixed  fertiHzers  are  known  as  incompatibles. 
As  is  pointed  out  in  this  connection  in  Farmers'  Bulletin 
No.  225,  U.  S.  Department  of  Agriculture,  it  should  be 


Food  for  remembered  that  "(1)  When  certain  materials  are 
^°^  mixed  chemical  changes  take  place  which  result  in  loss 
240  of  a  valuable  constituent,  as  when  hme  is  mixed  with 
guano,  Nitrogen  escapes ;  or  in  a  change  of  a  constituent 
to  a  less  available  form,  as  when  hme  is  mixed  with  super- 
phosphates, the  phosphoric  acid  is  made  less  soluble; 
and  (2),  mixtures  of  certain  materials,  as,  for  example, 
potash  salts  and  Thomas  Slag,  are  likely  to  harden  or 
'cake,'  and  thus  become  difficult  to  handle  if  kept  some 
time  after  mixing." 

Potash  salts  may  be  mixed  with  Thomas  phosphate 
powder,  but  acid  phosphate  should  not  be  mixed  with 
quick  lime,  nor  sulphate  of  ammonia  with  basic  slag. 

•  The  modern  farmer  in  America  is  beginning  to 
understand  the  nature  of  straight  fertilizers  as  well  as 
the  farmer  in  Germany.  He  knows  fairly  well  the 
character  and  qualities  of  the  materials  now  used  in 
mixing  fertilizers;  and  can  thus  form  his  own  judgment 
as  to  what  is  best  for  the  different  crops  and  soils. 

It  is  better  to  spread  fertiHzers  broadcast  by 
hand,  or  by  a  top-dressing  machine;  fertilizer  drills, 
as  a  rule,  are  not  of  sufficient  capacity.  Broadcasting  is 
always  a  more  thorough  method  of  applying  fertilizers, 
as  it  gives  the  following  crops  a  better  opportunity  to 
utilize  all  the  material  and  prevents  too  much  concentra- 
tion of  plant  food  by  the  plants.  It  also  gives  a  better 
root  development,  since  the  plants  are  compelled  to 
utilize  a  larger  feeding  area  to  no  disadvantage,  since 
it  is  nature's  way. 

It  is  generally  better  to  harrow  in  fertilizers  after 
they  are  applied,  except  on  the  seeded  crops  or  on  sod 
lands. 

Calculations  for  Mixing  Fertilizers. 

As  an  example  of  how  the  proportions  of  the  differ- 
ent ingredients  in  a  mixture  may  be  calculated,  let  it  be 
assumed  that  a  farmer  wishes  to  prepare  a  4-8-G  potato 
fertihzer  out  of  Nitrate  of  Soda  containing  15  per  cent, 
of  Nitrogen;  acid  phosphate  containing  16  per  cent,  of 
available  phosphoric  acid  and  sulphate  of  potash  con- 
taining 50  per  cent,  of  actual  potash.     Remembering 


that  each  one  hundred  pounds  of  the  required  mixture  ^o^d  for 
is  to  contain  4  pounds  of  available  Nitrogen,  8  pounds     ^"  ^  — 
of  available  phosphoric  acid  and  6  pounds  of  available      -4i 
potash,  we  may  best  determine  the  amounts  of  each  per 
ton  by  multiplying  the  given  figures  by  20,    Thus:— 

4  X  20  =    80  lbs-  Available  Nitrogen  per  ton. 

8  X  20  =  160     "     Available  phosphoric  acid  per  ton. 

6  X  20  =  120     "     Available  potash  per  ton. 

Hence  each  ton  of  the  mixture  is  to  contain  80 
pounds  of  available  Nitrogen,  160  pounds  of  available 
phosphoric  acid  and  120  pounds  of  available  potash. 

We  next  determine  the  amount  of  each  ingredient 
necessary  to  furnish  the  required  quantities  of  plant- 
food.  Since  each  one  hundred  pounds  of  Nitrate  con- 
tains 15  pounds  of  Nitrogen,  the  80  pounds  of  Nitro- 
gen required  would  represent  as  many  hundreds  or 
fractions  thereof,  as  15  is  contained  in  80;  or 

80  -^  15%  =    533  lbs.  Nitrate  of  Soda 

160  -^  16%  =  1000  lbs.  Acid  Phosphate 

120  -^  50%  =    240  lbs.  Sulphate  of  Potash 

Filler 227  lbs.  Fine  dry  loam,  or  peat,  or 

land  plaster  (gypsum) 


2000  lbs. 


Calculations  of  Formula  of  Mixed  Materials. 

It  is  desirable,  at  times  to  determine  the  propor- 
tions of  plant-food  in  any  given  mixture.  For  instance, 
a  mixture  is  made  up  of  200  pounds  of  Nitrate  of  Soda, 
200  pounds  of  tankage,  1,000  pounds  of  acid  phosphate 
and  200  pounds  of  sulphate  of  potash,  what  is  the 
formula  if  the  Nitrate  contains  15  per  cent,  of  avail- 
able Nitrogen,  the  tankage  5  per  cent,  of  Nitrogen  and 
10  per  cent,  of  phosphoric  acid,  the  acid  phosphate  16 
per  cent,  of  phosphoric  acid,  and  the  sulphate  of  potash 
50  per  cent,  of  potash.  The  amounts  of  plant  food 
would  then  be: — 


Food  for                                                                                          Nitrogen  Phos.  Acid     Potash 

Plants                                                                                       lbs.  lbs.  lbs. 

Nitrate  of  Soda 200  lbs.  x  .15  =  30 

^^^       Tankage 200  lbs.  x  .05  =  10 

Tankage 200  lbs.  x  .10  =  .  .  20 

Acid  Phosphate 1000  lbs.  x  .16  =  .  .  160 

Sulphate  of  Potash 200  lbs.  x  .50  =  .  .  . .           100 

Total 40         180  100 

A  ton  of  the  mixture  would  thus  contain  40  pounds 
of  Nitrogen,  180  pounds  of  phosphoric  acid  and  100 
pounds  of  potash.  To  get  the  weight  per  hundred  we 
divide  each  of  these  amounts  by  20,  obtaining  a  formula 
that  may  be  represented  by  2-9-5. 


To  Calculate  the  Value  of  Mixed  Fertilizers. 

When  acid  phosphate  with  16  per  cent,  available 
phosphoric  acid  can  be  bought  at  $15.50  per  ton;  when 
sulphate  of  potash  with  48  per  cent,  of  potash  can  be 
bought  at  $50.00  per  ton,  and  when  Nitrate  of  Soda 
containing  15  per  cent,  of  Nitrogen  can  be  bought  at 
$52.00  per  ton;  what  would  be  the  value  of  a  mixed 
fertilizer  guaranteed  to  contain  6  per  cent,  of  available 
phosphoric  acid,  5  per  cent,  of  potash,  and  3.25  per  cent, 
of  Nitrogen.^ 

As  a  preliminary  step  we  have  to  determine  the 
cost  per  pound  of  the  constituents  in  the  straight  fer- 
tilizers.   Thus: — 

2000  lbs.  of  Nitrate  of  Soda  x  .15  =  300  lbs.  available  Nitrogen 
$52.00  divided  by  300  lbs.  =  $0,173  per  lb. 

2000  lbs.  of  Acid  Phosphate  x  .16  =  320   lbs.  Phosphoric  Acid 
$15 .  50  divided  by  320  lbs.  =  $0 .  048  per  lb. 

2000   lbs.  of  Sulphate  of  Potash  x  .48  =  960  lbs.  actual  Potash 
$50.00  divided  by  960  lbs.  =  $0,052  per  lb. 

Next  comes  the  determination  of  the  total  plant- 
food  in  the  mixed  fertilizer.    Thus: — 


Straight  Fertilizer  Formulas  for 

Farm,  Fruit,  and  Market 

Garden  Crops. 


The  primary  object  in  the  preparation  of  fertihzer 
formulas  is  to  show  the  kinds  and  amounts  of  materials 
to  use  in  order  to  provide  in  a  mixture  good  forms  and 
proportions  of  the  constituents,  which  shall  be  in  good 
mechanical  condition.  It  is  not  beheved  that  any  one 
formula  is  the  best  for  all  conditions,  these  vary  as 
widely  as  the  soils  and  different  methods  of  manage- 
ment. 

Substitutions  That  May  Be  Made. 

It  is  not  intended  that  the  kinds  of  materials  shall 
be  absolutely  adhered  to,  for  in  many  cases  substitutions 
of  others  may  be  made  not  only  without  materially 
changing  the  composition  of  the  resultant  mixture,  but 
which  may  also  reduce  its  actual  cost.  For  example, 
tankage  or  dried  ground  fish  may  be  substituted  for  cot- 
ton-seed meal  in  any  mixture,  and  if  the  right  grades  are 
obtained,  will  substitute  the  amount  of  nitrogen  in  it, 
though  it  may  be  in  a  slightly  less  available  form; 
besides,  the  former  contains  considerably  more  phos- 
phoric acid.  In  other  instances,  dried  blood  may  be 
substituted  with  advantage  for  the  tankage  or  cotton- 


243 


3.25%x2000  lbs.  =  65  lbs.  Nitrogen  which  at  $0 .  173  per  lb.  =  $11 .  25  Food  for 
'  ^  Plants 

6.00%x2000  lbs.  =  120  lbs.  Phosphoric  Acid 

which  at 0.048perlb.=     5.76 

5.00%x2000  lbs.  =  100  lbs.  Potash  which  at  0 .  052  per  lb.  =     5 .  20 

$22.21 

Assuming  that  all  the  Nitrogen  in  the  mixed  fer- 
tihzer was  derived  from  Nitrate,  the  value  per  ton  would 
be  $22.21,  exclusive  of  the  cost  of  mixing  and  bagging. 


^^pfants  ^^^^  meal,  though  naturally  one  pound  of  high  grade 

blood  will  furnish  practically  twice  as  much  nitrogen  as 

244  one  pound  of  the  others.  Again,  bone  tankage,  which 
is  quite  similar  to  ground  bone  in  its  composition,  may 
be  substituted  for  bone,  and  vice  versa,  the  substitu- 
tion depending  upon  the  cost,  as  the  availability  of  the 
constituents  is  not  materially  different.  In  the  case  of 
potash,  the  sulphate  may  be  substituted  for  the  muriate 
without  changing  the  percentage  of  actual  potash  in  the 
mixture;  whereas  if  kainit  is  substituted  for  the  higher 
grades,  four  times  the  weight  must  be  included  in  order 
to  obtain  the  same  amount  of  potash,  and  the  amount  of 
the  mixture  applied  per  acre  must  be  doubled  in  order 
to  obtain  the  same  number  of  pounds  of  the  constituents 
for  a  given  area.     For  example,  if  in  a  mixture  of 

Nitrate  of  Soda 100  lbs. 

Ground  Bone 100    " 

Sulphate  of  Potash 100     " 

400  pounds  of  kainit  is  substituted  for  the  100  pounds  of 
sulphate  of  potash,  the  percentage  composition  of  the 
mixture  would  be  just  one-half  the  former,  as  the  con- 
stituents are  distributed  throughout  twice  the  weight. 

Importance  of  Mechanical  Condition. 

In  the  next  place,  care  should  be  exercised  in  the 
preparation  of  mixtures,  in  order  to  obtain  good  me- 
chanical condition.  It  is  sometimes  a  difficult  matter  to 
obtain  a  dry  mixture  from  the  use  of  purely  mineral 
fertilizing  materials,  as  superphosphates,  and  muriate  of 
potash,  or  kainit — ^it  is  apt  to  become  pasty  in  the  drill 
or  planter,  whereas,  if  some  dry  material,  as  bone  or 
tankage,  is  added,  the  mixture  is  much  improved  and 
the  composition  not  materially  affected. 

The  Kinds  and  Amounts  to  Apply. 

It  should  also  be  remembered  that  the  suggestions 
in  reference  both  to  the  particular  form  of  the  constitu- 
ents and  the  amounts  to  be  applied  have  reference  to 
their  application  under  average  conditions  of  soil  and 


methods  of  practice,  and  as  a  supplement  to  the  manures  |f  °^J°^ 

of  the  farm.    Where  a  definite  system  of  rotation  is  used, 

and  the  materials  are  applied  with  the  purpose  of  pro-  -+5 
viding  the  specific  crop  with  the  constituents  especially 
needed,  the  formulas  may  be  very  materially  changed. 
Where  the  condition  of  soil  is  not  good,  or  where  ma- 
nures are  not  used,  the  amounts  recommended  should  be 
largely  increased,  practically  doubled  in  most  cases,  and 
also,  particularly  for  the  cereals,  a  greater  proportion  of 
nitrogen  should  be  used.  As  a  rule,  soils  that  are  not  in 
good  condition  will  require  a  larger  application  of  fertil- 
izers to  obtain  the  same  unit  of  increase  than  those  in 
good  condition,  because  in  the  first  case  they  do  not 
permit  the  ready  penetration  of  the  roots  and  the  easy 
distribution  of  the  constituents.  The  indiscriminate 
use  of  fertilizers  on  poor  soils  is  seldom  followed  by  as 
large  a  return  per  unit  of  plant  food  applied  as  where 
systematic  methods  obtain. 

Methods  of  Application. 

The  method  of  application  should  depend  upon  the 
character  of  the  soil,  the  crop  and  the  material.  On 
good  soils  and  for  crops  which  require  large  quantities,  a 
part  at  least,  of  the  material  should  be  applied  broadcast 
and  thoroughly  worked  into  the  surface-soil;  the  re- 
mainder may  be  used  in  the  row  at  the  time  of  seeding  or 
setting  the  plants.  It  is  particularly  desirable  that 
formulas  that  are  rich  in  potash  should  be  in  part  broad- 
casted, in  order  that  this  element  may  be  thoroughly 
intermingled  with  the  soil,  as  the  rate  at  which  this  con- 
stituent fixes,  particularly  on  soils  of  a  clayey  nature,  is 
very. rapid,  and  unless  thoroughly  harrowed  in  the  fixing 
will  take  place  largely  at  the  surface,  and  thus  not  be 
within  reach  of  the  feeding  roots.  On  sandy  soils,  and 
for  such  crops  as  sweet  potatoes,  the  concentration  of 
the  fertilizer  in  the  row  is  more  desirable  than  in  the  case 
of  good  soils  and  for  white  potatoes,  though  the  minerals 
phosphoric  acid  and  potash  may  be  distributed  in  part. 
When  appHed  in  the  row  for  sweet  potatoes,  it  is  desir- 
able that  it  should  be  done  two  or  three  weeks,  at  least, 
before  the  plants  are  set,  thus  avoiding  possible  injury 
from  the  excess  in  the  soil. 


Food  for  Most  manufacturers  and  dealers  in  fertilizers  are 

-  ^  ^  willing  to  supply  farmers  with  the  materials  suggested, 
246      or  to  mix  them  at  reasonable  rates. 

If  you  cannot  conveniently  get  all  the  materials  for 
mixing  your  formulas  and  can  secure  any  reputable 
brand  of  ordinary  commercial  fertilizer,  buy  a  bag  of 
Nitrate  of  Soda  and  mix  it  with  four  to  six  bags  of 
such  commercial  fertilizer;  and  the  mixing  may  be  done 
on  your  barn  floor.  You  will  thereby  improve  and 
fortify  the  brand  you  are  buying  in  a  way  to  vastly  en- 
hance its  crop-making  powers. 

If  the  Nitrate  should  happen  to  be  lumpy,  the  use 
of  a  straight,  heavy  fence  post,  rolled  over  it  two  or 
three  times  will  reduce  it  to  splendid  condition  for  home- 
mixing. 

One  hundred  pounds  of  Nitrate  of  Soda  is  equal  in 
bulk  to  about  one  bushel,  or  25  pounds  to  about  one 
peck. 

Materials  Not  To  Be  Mixed. 

Certain  ammoniates  contain  iron,  and  if  mixed 
with  acid  phosphate  you  will  lose  a  considerable  portion 
of  your  available  phosphoric  acid. 

Lime  should  not  be  mixed  with  sulphate  of  am- 
monia and  materials  containing  lime,  should  not  be 
used  in  this  connection  without  advice  from  an  ex- 
perienced fertilizer  chemist. 

Excessive  quantities  of  lime  should  not  be  mixed 
with  superphosphate,  barnyard  manure  or  bone  meal. 

Sulphate  of  ammonia  should  not  be  mixed  with 
Thomas  slag  and  Norwegian  Nitrate. 

Basic  slag  should  not  be  mixed  with  sulphate 
of  ammonia,  blood  or  tankage  as  the  lime  affects 
these  materials  and  releases  ammonia.  If  mixed  with 
kainit  it  must  be  applied  shortly  after  mixing. 

Cyanamid  must  not  be  mixed  directly  with  sul- 
phate of  ammonia,  but  if  mixed  according  to  directions 
will  give  good  results. 


Home-Mixing  Table. 

To  ascertain  the  quantity  of  each  material  neces- 
sary to  make  1,000  pounds  of  Fertilizer  of  any  desired 
analysis. 


Food  for 
Plants 


247 


Available 

Available  Phosphoric  Acid. 

Available 
Potash  from 

Percentage 
Required. 

Nitrogen  from 
Nitrate  of  Soda. 

From  14% 
Acid  Phosphate. 

From  16% 
Acid  Phosphate. 

Sulphate 
of  Potash. 

1% 

67  lbs. 

71  lbs. 

63  lbs. 

21   lbs. 

2% 

133     " 

143     " 

125     " 

42     " 

3% 

200     " 

214     " 

188    " 

63     " 

4% 

267     " 

286     " 

250     " 

83     " 

5% 

333     " 

357     " 

313     " 

104     " 

6% 

400     " 

429     " 

375     " 

125     " 

7% 

467    " 

500     " 

438    " 

146    " 

8% 

533     " 

571     " 

500     " 

167    " 

9% 

600     " 

643     " 

563    " 

188    " 

10% 

667     " 

714     " 

625     " 

208    " 

Example:  A  common  and  profitable  formula  for 
Oats  is  4-7-5,  that  is  4  per  cent.  Nitrogen,  7  per  cent, 
phosphoric  acid,  5  per  cent,  potash.  From  the  table 
we  ascertain  that  4  per  cent,  available  Nitrogen  is  ob- 
tained by  using  267  pounds  Nitrate  of  Soda,  7  per  cent, 
available  phosphoric  acid  is  obtained  by  using  438 
pounds  16  per  cent,  phosphate  and  5  per  cent,  available 
potash  is  obtained  by  using  104  pounds  sulphate  of 
potash,  making  a  total  of  809  pounds  which  contains  the 
same  amount  of  plant  food  as  1,000  pounds  of  4-7-5 
ready -mixed  fertilizer.  Should  it  be  desired  to  make  an 
even  thousands  pounds,  add  a  sufficient  amount  of 
fine  dry  loam. 


Food  for 
Plants 

248 


Formulas  for  Farm  Crops. 

Corn. 

(No.  1) 

Nitrate  of  Soda 200  lbs. 

Acid  Phosphate 500     " 

Sulphate  of  Potash 100     " 

Fine  Dry  Loam 200     " 

1,000  lbs. 
Application  at  the  rate  of  600  pounds  per  acre. 

Composition: — ^Available  Nitrogen  3.00  per  cent.; 
available  phosphoric  acid  8.00  per  cent.;  available 
potash  4.80  per  cent. 

(No.  2) 

Nitrate  of  Soda 150  lbs. 

Acid  Phosphate 500     " 

Sulphate  of  Potash 100     " 

Fine  Dry  Loam 250 

1,000  lbs. 
Apphcation  at  the  rate  of  600  pounds  per  acre. 

Composition: — ^Available  Nitrogen  2.25  per  cent.; 
available  phosphoric  acid  8.00  per  cent.;  available 
potash  4.80  per  cent. 

Formula  No.  1  is  best  suited  for  sandy  loams  or 
soils.    Formula  No.  2  is  for  medium  and  heavy  loams. 


Oats  and  Spring  Wheat.  Food  for 


Plants 


(No.  1) 

Nitrate  of  Soda 250  lbs. 

Acid  Phosphate 450    " 

Sulphate  of  Potash 100     " 

Fine  Dry  Loam 200    " 

1,000  lbs. 
Application  at  the  rate  of  400  pounds  per  acre. 

Comyositioji: — ^Available  Nitrogen  3.75  per  cent.; 
available  phosphoric  acid  7.20  per  cent.;  available 
potash  4.80  per  cent. 

(No.  2) 

Nitrate  of  Soda 200  lbs. 

Acid  Phosphate 500     " 

Sulphate  of  Potash 100     " 

Fine  Dry  Loam 200     " 

1,000  lbs. 

AppUcation  at  the  rate  of  400  pounds  per  acre. 

Com 2)05?Yi07i:— Available  Nitrogen  3.00  per  cent.; 
available  phosphoric  acid  8.00  per  cent.;  available 
potash  4.80  per  cent. 

Formula  No.  2  is  best  suited  for  use  in  connection 
with  a  leguminous  green  manure. 

Winter  Wheat,  Rye  and  Hay  or  Grass  Lands. 

(No.  1) 

Nitrate  of  Soda 100  lbs. 

Acid  Phosphate 600    " 

Muriate  of  Potash 50     " 

Fine  Dry  Loam 250 

1,000  lbs. 
Apphcation  at  the  rate  of  400  pounds  per  acre. 

Composition: — ^Available  Nitrogen  1.50  per  cent.; 
available  phosphoric  acid  9.00  per  cent.;  available 
potash  2.40  per  cent. 


Food  for 
Plants 


(No.  2) 

Nitrate  of  Soda 200  lbs. 

250  Acid  Phosphate 500     " 

Sulphate  of  Potash 100    " 

Fine  Dry  Loam 200     " 

1,000  lbs. 

Application  at  the  rate  of  400  pounds  per  acre. 

Composition: — ^Available  Nitrogen  3.00  per  cent.; 
available  phosphoric  acid  8.00  per  cent.;  available 
potash  4.80  per  cent. 

Mixture  No.  1  is  best  adapted  for  heavy  soils; 
mixture  No.  2,  for  medium  and  light  loams. 

Barley. 

Nitrate  of  Soda 250  lbs. 

Acid  Phosphate 450     " 

Sulphate  of  Potash 100     " 

Fine  Dry  Loam 200     " 

1,000  lbs. 

Application  at  the  rate  of  400  pounds  per  acre. 

Composition: — ^Available  Nitrogen  3.75  per  cent.; 
available  phosphoric  acid  7.20  per  cent.;  available 
potash  4.80  per  cent. 

Clovers,  Alfalfa,  Cow  Peas,  Soy  Beans  and  Vetch. 

Nitrate  of  Soda 70  lbs. 

Acid  Phosphate 550     " 

Sulphate  of  Potash 100     " 

Fine  Dry  Loam 280    " 

1,000  lbs. 
Application  at  the  rate  of  300-500  pounds  per  acre. 

Composition: — ^Available  Nitrogen  1.05  per  cent.; 
available  phosphoric  acid  8.80  per  cent.;  available 
potash  4.80  per  cent. 


Cotton.  |-^J- 


Nitrate  of  Soda 250  lbs. 

Acid  Phosphate 600    " 

Sulphate  of  Potash 50    |* 

Fine  Dry  Loam 100 

1,000  lbs. 

Application  at  the  rate  of  400  pounds  per  acre. 

Composition: — ^Available  Nitrogen  3.75  per  cent.; 
available  phosphoric  acid  9.60  per  cent.;  available 
potash  2.40  per  cent. 

Rice. 

Nitrate  of  Soda 100  lbs. 

Acid  Phosphate 800    " 

Sulphate  of  Potash 100    " 

1,000  lbs. 

Application  at  the  rate  of  300  pounds  per  acre. 
Apply  soon  after  mixing. 

Composition: — ^Available  Nitrogen  1.50  per  cent.; 
available  phosphoric  acid  12.80  per  cent.;  available 
potash  4.80  per  cent. 

Tobacco. 

Nitrate  of  Soda 540  lbs. 

Acid  Phosphate 100     " 

Sulphate  of  Potash 200     " 

Fine  Dry  Loam 160 

1,000  lbs. 
Application  at  the  rate  of  1,000  pounds  per  acre. 

Composition: — ^Available  Nitrogen  8.10  per  cent.; 
available  phosphoric  acid  1.60  pei'  cent.;  available 
potash  9.60  per  cent. 

As  a  general  rule,  and  subject  to  any  special 
soil  conditions,  we  recommend  that  the  above  Nitrate 
of  Soda  mixture  intended  to  be  applied  to  the 
tobacco  crop  be  given  in  three  equal  dressings.  The 
first  of  these  should  be  incorpora.ted  with  the  soil 
just  before  the  planting  out,  the  second  should  be  given 


2SI 


^^pfant*^  as  a  top  dressing  at  the  time  of  the  first  hoeing  and  the 

last  instahnent,  in  the  same  manner,  about  a  fortnight 

252      or  three  weeks  later. 

Sweet  Potatoes. 

Nitrate  of  Soda 200  lbs. 

Acid  Phosphate 550     " 

Sulphate  of  Potash 150     " 

Fine  Dry  Loam 100     " 

1,000  lbs. 

Application  at  the  rate  of  1,000  pounds  per  acre. 

Composition:— Avm\ah\e  Nitrogen  3.00  per  cent.; 
available  phosphoric  acid  8.80  per  cent.;  available 
potash  7.20  per  cent. 

Early  and  Late  Irish  Potatoes. 

(No.  1) 

Nitrate  of  Soda 320  lbs. 

Acid  Phosphate 480     " 

Sulphate  of  Potash 100     " 

Fine  Dry  Loam 100     " 

1,000  lbs. 

Application  at  the  rate  of  1,000  pounds  per  acre. 

Composition: — ^Available  Nitrogen  4.80  per  cent.; 
available  phosphoric  acid  7.68  per  cent.;  available 
potash  4.80  per  cent. 

In  order  to  secure  a  satisfactory  mechanical  con- 
dition, this  mixture  will  require  about  300-400  pounds 
additional  of  fine  dry  loam  for  each  1,000  pounds  of 
material. 

(No.  2) 

Nitrate  of  Soda 260  lbs. 

Acid  Phosphate 440     " 

Sulphate  of  Potash 100     " 

Fine  Dry  Loam 200     " 

1,000  lbs. 
Application  at  the  rate  of  1,000  pounds  per  acre. 


Composition:— Availiihle  Nitrogen  3.90  per  cent.;  ^J^^J*""" 

available    phosphoric    acid    7.00    per    cent.;    available 

potash  4.80  per  cent.  253 

Hops. 

Nitrate  of  Soda 600  lbs. 

Acid  Phosphate 200    " 

Sulphate  of  potash 100    " 

Filler 100    " 

1,000  lbs. 

Application  at  the  rate  of  1,000  pounds  per  acre. 

Composition: — ^Available  Nitrogen  9.00  per  cent.; 
available  phosphoric  acid  3.20  per  cent.;  available 
potash  4.80  per  cent. 


Formula  for  Market  Garden  Crops 

Asparagus,  Beans,  Beets,  (early),  Cabbage,  Carrots, 
Cauliflower,  Celery,  Cucumbers,  Egg-Plant,  Endive, 
Kale,  Lettuce,  Muskmelons,  Onions,  Peas,  (early), 
Peppers,  Pumpkins,  Radishes,  Spinach,  Squash, 
Tomatoes  and  Watermelons. 

Nitrate  of  Soda 300  lbs. 

Acid  Phosphate 400    " 

Sulphate  of  Potash 100     " 

Fine  Dry  Loam 200 

1,000  lbs. 

Application  at  the  rate  of  about  1,000  pounds  per 
acre,  at  the  time  of  seeding  and  an  additional  applica- 
tion at  the  rate  of  about  500  pounds  to  be  made  between 
the  rows  later  in  the  season. 

Composition: — ^Available  Nitrogen  4.50  per  cent.; 
available  phosphoric  acid  G.40  per  cent.;  available 
potash  4.80  per  cent. 


^pfi?s    Formulas  for  Fruits  and  Berries 


254 

Apples,  Pears,  Peaches,  Plums,  Grapes,  Currants, 

Strawberries,  Raspberries,  Blackberries, 

and  Gooseberries. 

(No.  1) 

Nitrate  of  Soda 300  lbs. 

Acid  Phosphate 400    *' 

Sulphate  of  Potash 100    " 

Fine  Dry  Loam 200    " 

1,000  lbs. 

Applications  at  the  rate  of  about  1,000  pounds  per 
acre  for  berries  and  400-800  pounds  for  fruit  trees. 

Composition: — ^Available  Nitrogen  4.50  per  cent.; 
available  phosphoric  acid  6.40  per  cent.;  available 
potash  4.80  per  cent. 

(No.  2) 

Nitrate  of  Soda 200  lbs. 

Acid  Phosphate 300     " 

Sulphate  of  Potash 100    " 

Fine  Dry  Loam 400 

1,000  lbs. 

Application  at  the  rate  of  about  1,000  pounds  per 
acre  for  berries  and  400-800  pounds  for  fruit  trees. 

Composition: — ^Available  Nitrogen  3.00  per  cent.; 
available  phosphoric  acid  4.80  per  cent.;  available 
potash  4.80  per  cent. 

Formula  1  is  best  adapted  for  medium  and  heavy 
soils,  Formula  2  for  sandy  soils. 


Formulas  for  Citrus  Fruits        |£^ 

255 

Young  Orange  Trees. 

Nitrate  of  Soda 350  lbs. 

Acid  Phosphate 350    " 

Sulphate  of  Potash 100    " 

Fine  Dry  Loam 200    " 

1,000  lbs. 

Application  at  the  rate  of  1,000  pounds  per  acre. 

Composition: — ^Available  Nitrogen  5.^5  per  cent.; 
available  phosphoric  acid  5.60  per  cent.;  available 
potash  4.80  per  cent. 

Old  Orange  Trees. 

Nitrate  of  Soda 375  lbs. 

Acid  Phosphate 435     " 

Sulphate  of  Potash 90    " 

Fine  Dry  Loam 100 

1,000  lbs. 

Application  at  the  rate  of  1,600  pounds  per  acre. 

Composition: — ^Available  Nitrogen  5.62  per  cent.; 
available  phosphoric  acid  7.96  per  cent.;  available 
potash  4.32  per  cent. 


Mandarin  Oranges. 

Nitrate  of  Soda 375  lbs. 

Acid  Phosphate 420    " 

Sulphate  of  Potash 80 

Fine  Dry  Loam 125 


1.000  lbs. 


^°pfants  Application  at  the  rate  of  1,200  pounds  per  acre. 


256 


Com'position: — ^Available  Nitrogen  5.62  per  cent.; 
available  phosphoric  acid  6.72  per  cent.;  available 
potash  4.00  per  cent. 


Grape  Fruit. 

Nitrate  of  Soda 375  lbs. 

Acid  Phosphate 435     " 

Sulphate  of  Potash 90     " 

Fine  Dry  Loam 100 

1,000  lbs. 
Apphcation  at  the  rate  of  1,800  pounds  per  acre. 

Com'position: — ^Available  Nitrogen  5.62  per  cent.; 
available  phosphoric  acid  7.96  per  cent.;  available 
potash  4.32  per  cent. 


Lemons. 

Nitrate  of  Soda 375  lbs. 

Acid  Phosphate 435     " 

Sulphate  of  Potash 90     " 

Fine  Dry  Loam 100 

1,000  lbs. 

Application  at  the  rate  of  1,600  pounds  per  acre. 

Composition: — ^Available  Nitrogen  5.62  per  cent.; 
available  phosphoric  acid  7.96  per  cent.;  available 
potash  4.32  per  cent. 


Food  for 
Plants 


Formulas  for  Olives. 

Young  Olive  Trees. 

Nitrate  of  Soda 300  lbs. 

Acid  Phosphate 450 

Sulphate  of  Potash 150    " 

Fine  Dry  Loam 100 

1,000  lbs. 

Application  at  the  rate  of  660  pounds  per  acre. 

Composition: — ^Available  Nitrogen  4.50  per  cent.; 
available  phosphoric  acid  7.20  per  cent.;  available 
potash  7.20  per  cent. 

Old  Olive  Trees. 

Nitrate  of  Soda 260  lbs. 

Acid  Phosphate 520    " 

Sulphate  of  Potash 85     " 

Fine  Dry  Loam 135 

1,000  lbs. 

Apphcation  at  the  rate  of  1,150  pounds  per  acre. 

Composition: — ^Available  Nitrogen  3.90  per  cent.; 
available  phosphoric  acid  8.32  per  cent.;  available 
potash  4.08  per  cent. 


257 


Food  for 
Plants 


GENERAL  DIRECTIONS 

FOR  THE   USE  OF  NITRATE  OF  SODA 

ON  STAPLE  CROPS. 

We  never  recommend  the  use  of  Nitrate  of  Soda 
alone  except  at  the  rate  of  one  hundred  pounds  to  the 
acre,  for  seeded  crops  and  two  hundred  pounds  to  the 
acre  for  cultivated  crops.  It  may  be  thus  safely  and 
profitably  used  without  other  fertilizers.  It  may  be  even- 
ly applied  at  this  rate  as  a  broadcast  top-dressing,  by 
hand,  or  by  machine,  in  the  Spring  of  the  year,  as  soon 
as  crops  begin  rapid,  new  growth.  At  this  rate  very 
satisfactory  results  are  usually  obtained  without  the  use 
of  any  other  fertilizer,  and  soda  residual,  after  the 
nitrogenous  food  of  this  chemical  is  used  up  by  the 
plant,  has  a  perceptible  effect  in  sweetening  sour  land. 
One  hundred  pounds  of  Nitrate  is  equal  in  bulk  to  about: 
one  bushel. 

When  it  is  desired  to  use  a  larger  amount  than  one 
hundred  pounds  of  Nitrate  per  acre  for  seeded  crops 
(or  two  hundred  pounds  per  acre  for  cultivated  crops) 
there  should  be  present  some  form  of  available  phos- 
phatic  and  potassic  plant  food,  and  we  recommend  two 
hundred  pounds  of  acid  phosphate  and  one  hundred 
pounds  of  sulphate  of  potash. 

In  most  of  our  Grass  experiments  where  Nitrate 
was  used  alone  at  the  rate  of  only  one  hundred  pounds 
per  acre,  not  only  was  the  aftermath,  or  rowen  much 
improved,  but  in  subsequent  seasons,  with  no  further 
application  of  fertilizers  to  the  plots  a  decidedly  marked 
effect  was  noticed,  even  on  old  meadows.  This  speaks 
very  well  indeed  for  Nitrate  of  Soda  not  leaching  out  of 
the  soil.  The  readily  soluble  elements  of  fertility  are  the 
readily  available  elements.  The  natural  capillarity  of 
soils,  doubtless,  is  in  most  instances  a  powerful  factor  in 
retaining  all  readily  soluble  elements  of  fertihty,  other- 
wise all  the  fertility  of  the  world  in  our  humid  regions 
would,  in  a  season  or  two,  run  into  the  ocean,  and  be 
permanently  lost.  This  is  mentioned  on  account  of 
certain  critics  having  taken  the  trouble  to  object  to 


the  use  of  Nitrate  on  the  ground  that  it  would  leach  pJ^J"*" 

away.     A  case  is  yet  to  be  seen  where  the  after  effects  

of  Nitrate  are  not  distinguishable,  and  in  most  cases  such  259 
effects  have  been  marked.  The  two  thousand  tons  of 
active  top  soil  in  an  acre  of  land  have  a  powerful  holding 
capacity  for  all  the  useful  available  elements  of  fertility. 
These  2,000  tons  form  the  part  usually  subject  to  cul- 
tivation and  might  be  called  service  soil. 

For  market  gardening  crops,  hops,  sugar-beets 
and  other  cultivated  crops,  two  hundred  pounds  of 
Nitrate  per  acre  may  be  used  to  great  advantage. 

When  the  above  amounts  of  phosphatic  and  potas- 
sic  fertilizers  are  used,  as  much  as  two  hundred  and  fifty 
pounds  of  Nitrate,  or  even  more,  may  be  applied  with 
profit. 

If  you  have  any  reason  to  suspect  adulteration  of 
Nitrate,  send  a  pound  or  so  of  it  to  your  Experiment 
Station  for  analysis,  giving  date  of  purchase,  full  name 
and  address  of  dealer  and  of  the  company  which  the 
seller  represents,  with  full  description  of  marks  on  the 
bag  or  bags  from  which  you  draw  the  sample. 

On  the  Pacific  Coast,  Nitrate  may  be  applied  as  a 
top-dressing  after  the  heavy  Spring  rains  are  over,  but 
before  crops  attain  much  of  a  start;  although  recent 
experience  in  California  suggests  that  Nitrate  may  be 
applied  to  better  advantage  just  as  soon  as  growth 
starts  in  the  Spring,  or  better,  before  seeding  or  plant- 
ing. 

When  Nitrate  is  applied  at  the  rate  of  two  hun- 
dred (200)  pounds  per  acre  for  cultivated  crops  and 
used  alone  this  application  figures  out  at  the  rate  of 
8  oz.  for  a  plot  10x10.  This  application  is  equivalent 
to  about  1  oz.  to  the  square  yard. 

So  many  inquiries  have  been  made  requesting 
amounts  to  be  applied  to  small  areas  that  the  above 
word  is  given  in  this  connection. 


X^l     America  Spends  $175,000,000  a 
260  Year  for  Fertilizer. 

By  Richard  Spillane 

It  is  estimated  that  the  American  farmer  pays  in 
excess  of  $175,000,000  a  year  for  fertiHzer.  If  he  mixed 
a  httle  brains  with  his  fertihzer  he  would  get  better 
results.  He  is  improving  in  his  methods,  but  it  will 
be  a  long,  long  time  before  he  overtakes  the  European 
agriculturist,  particularly  the  German. 

One  of  the  indictments  against  the  American 
people  is  that,  with  the  greatest  natural  advantages  of 
any  inhabitants  of  the  earth's  surface,  they  make  a 
shockingly  bad  showing  in  comparison  with  their  less 
favored  brothers. 

For  example:  In  Europe,  where  the  land  has  been 
tilled  for  centuries  upon  centuries,  the  average  yield 
per  acre  of  the  great  crops  is  approximately  double 
that  of  the  United  States.  The  European  wheat  crop 
averages  33  bushels  per  acre;  oats,  45  bushels  per  acre, 
and  potatoes,  nearly  200  bushels  per  acre.  In  the 
United  States  the  yield  averages:  Wheat,  14  bushels 
per  acre;  oats,  40  bushels  per  acre,  and  potatoes,  a 
trifle  more  than  97  bushels  per  acre. 

Broadly  speaking,  the  foreign  farmer  studies  his 
soil;  the  American  farmer  does  not.  It  has  been  said 
of  the  American  farmer  that  he  is  one  of  the  greatest 
slovens  on  earth.  This  may  be  rather  a  harsh  judg- 
ment, but  certainly  he  merits  sharp  criticism.  It  is 
not  the  grower  of  wheat,  or  oats,  or  corn,  or  potatoes 
alone  who  neglects  his  opportunities.  The  cotton 
planter  is  as  bad  a  sinner  as  his  northern  fellow.  The 
average  yield  of  cotton  per  acre  in  the  United  States 
is  185  pounds.  In  Egypt  the  average  yield  per  acre 
is  400  pounds.  There  is  not  any  more  doubt  that  the 
yield  per  acre  in  the  United  States  could  be  brought 
up  to  400  pounds  an  acre  than  that  the  sun  is  going  to 
continue  to  shine. 

Europe  started  half  a  century  before  America  to 
nourish    the    land    scientifically.     The    farmers    there, 


having  studied  the  subject,  now  know  how  to  treat  the  pf^^J*''' 

land  intelhgently.     In  the  United  States  there  is  a  vast  

area  that  has  not  known  the  need  of  fertihzer,  but  in      261 
the  older  States,  the  ones  along  the  Atlantic,  where  the 
land  has  been  in  cultivation  100  or  more  years  the  soil 
has  been  worn  out  and  needs  reinforcing  or  it  is  prac- 
tically valueless  for  crops. 

Unfortunately  for  the  United  States,  a  large  num- 
ber of  the  farmers,  neither  knowing  the  needs  of  their 
lands,  nor  the  properties  that  go  to  make  the  best 
fertilizer,  think  any  kind  of  fertilizer  will  do.  They 
buy  blindly  and  let  it  go  at  that.  As  a  general  thing 
they  are  actuated  by  the  price.  Good  fertilizers  are 
costly.  The  cheap  may  do  just  as  good,  they  reason. 
Sick  or  worn-out  land  needs  as  careful  treatment  as 
an  ill  or  worn-out  human.  To  cheat  the  land  is  not 
good  business,  and  does  not  bring  good  results.  You 
cannot  fool  nature. 

No  fertilizer  is  of  much  account  unless  it  contains 
the  three  great  essentials — nitrogen,  phosphoric  acid 
and  potash.  When  all  are  present  the  fertilizer  is  said 
to  be  complete.  When  they  are  not,  the  fertihzer  is 
incomplete,  lacking  in  energy,  and  the  result  from  its 
use  is  not  satisfactory. 

The  materials  that  furnish  nitrogen  are  Nitrate  of 
Soda,  nitrate  of  lime,  sulphate  of  ammonia,  calcium 
cyanamid,  dried  blood,  tankage,  fish  scrap,  cotton  seed 
meal,  horn  and  hoof  meal,  hair  and  wool  and  leather 
scrap. 

The  materials  that  furnish  phosphoric  acid  are 
Thomas  slag,  acid  phosphate,  bone  meal,  phosphoric 
guano,  fish  scrap  and  bone  tankage. 

The  materials  furnishing  potash  are  potash  salts 
and  unleached  wood  ashes. 

A  pure  fertilizer  law  is  needed  as  much  as  a  pure 
food  law.  The  development  of  agriculture  in  the 
United  States  is  retarded  by  the  use  of  inferior  fertilizer. 

Evidently  the  American  tendency  to  palm  off 
"something  just  as  good"  has  been  in  evidence  in  the 
fertilizer  trade. 


by 


At  a  luncheon  given  in  Chicago  on  January  9,  1914, 
a  committee  of  the  National  Fertilizer  Association, 


^°pf  *t^  one  speaker,  evidently  desirous  of  spreading  the  use 

of  fertilizer  in  the  West,  had  this  to  say: 

262  "James  J.  Hill  has  conducted  some  wonder-work- 

ing experiments  with  fertilizers,  which  have  not  re- 
ceived the  attention  they  deserve  in  the  West.  Is  it 
because  the  West  does  not  want  to  admit  that  it  needs 
rejuvenation,  or  is  it  because  she  is  complacent?  Hill 
showed  in  one  season,  by  the  use  of  fertilizers,  that  he 
could  double  the  yield  of  cereals  in  the  Middle  North- 
west. It  matters  not  at  this  time  whether  it  was  done 
at  a  profit.  The  important  thing  is  to  demonstrate 
that  yields  can  be  doubled  by  a  certain  treatment. 

"The  value  of  commercial  plant  food  has  passed 
bej^ond  the  experimental  stage  in  Europe  and  in  the 
eastern  part  of  this  country.  Why  not  accept  the  tes- 
timony of  seventy-five  years  at  Rothamsted,  of  fifty 
years  at  Halle,  and  of  thirty  years  in  Georgia  and  in 
Maine.  I  sometimes  wonder  if  the  agricultural  teach- 
ers and  writers  in  the  West  are  not  standing  in  the  way 
of  agricultural  progress  by  still  considering  as  an 
academic  question  the  value  and  need  of  fertilizers. 
The  question  is  not— Are  commercial  fertilizers  good 
and  useful.^ — but  will  it  pay  to  use  them  as  James  J. 
Hill  has  done  in  his  part  of  the  country.  To  my  mind, 
Mr.  Hill  has  answered  the  question,  "Will  it  pay.^" 
in  the  affirmative.  By  the  use  of  a  little  over  $5  worth 
of  fertilizer  per  acre  he  practically  doubled  the  yield  of 
wheal,  oats  and  barley,  and  you  can  figure  whether  it 
paid  or  not.  I  wish  that  other  railway  officials  might 
follow  his  splendid  example." 

No  agriculturist  needs  knowledge  of  the  soil  more 
than  the  cotton  grower.  Those  figures  showing  that 
Egypt — old,  backward  Egypt^s  far  in  advance  of 
him  in  cotton  raising  should  stir  him,  if  the  loss  he  is 
suffering  financially  did  not. 

When  he  knows  more  about  fertilizers  he  will  raise 
larger  crops.  Quantity  is  less  important  than  quality 
in  what  is  supphed  toward  energizing  land. 

Considering  the  fact  that  of  the  more  than  $175,- 
000,000  spent  for  fertilizer,  the  farmer  of  the  South 
pays  out  fully  one-half,  he  should  not  be  satisfied  with 
the  result. 


Analyses  of  Commercial  Fertilizing  Materials. 


Name  of  Substance. 


/.     Phosphatic  Manures — 

Apatite 

Bone-ash 

Bone-black 

Bone-black  (dissolved) 

Bone  meal 

Bone  meal  (free  from  fats) .  . 
Bone  meal  (from  glue  factory) 

Bone  meal  (dissolved) 

S.  Carolina  rock  (ground) . . 
S.  Carolina  rock  (floats) . .  . 
S.  Carolina  rock  (dissolved) 


7.47 


1.50 


4.1^2 
6.20 
1.70 
2.60 


77.     Potash  Manures. 

Carnallite 

Cotton-seed  hull  ashes 

Kainit 

Krugite 

Muriate  of  potash 

Nitrate  of  potash 

Spent  tan-bark  ashes 

Sulph.  potash  (high  grade)..  . 
Sulph.  potash  and  magnesia. 

Sylvinite 

Waste  from  gunpowder  work; 

Wood-ashes  (unleached) 

Wood-ashes  (leached) 


777,     Nitrogenous  Manures. 


Castor  pomace 

Cotton-seed  meal .... 

Dried  blood 

Dried  fish 

Horn  and  hoof  waste. 

Lobster  shells .' 

Meat  scrap 


7.33 
3.20 
4. 
2.00 
1.93 
6.31 
1.25 
4.75 
7.25 
2.75 
12.00 


9.98 
6.80 
12.50 
12.75 
10.17 
7.27 
12.09 


Phosphoric  Acid. 


Food  for 
Plants 

263 


13 


09 


43 


5.56 

6.66 
10.52 

7.25 
13.25 

4.50 
10.44 


Avail- 
able. 


Insolu- 
ble. 


16.70 

8.28 


13.53 
0.60 


11.60 


13.68 
23 .  80 
13.54 

8.42 
52.46 
45.19 

2.04 
38.60 
23 .  50 
16.65 
18.00 

5.50 

1.10 


0.45 


0.30 
15 .  22 


4.0 
27.43 


3.60 


Total. 


36.08 
35.89 
28.28 
17.00 
23.50 
20.10 
29.90 
17.60 
28.03 
27.20 
15.20 


50 


3.05 


5.20 


61 


2.16 
1.45 
1.91 

8.25 
1.83 
3.52 
2.07 


Food  for 
Plants 

264 


Analyses    of    Commercial    Fertilizing    Materials. 
Continued. 


Name  of  Substance. 


III.    Nitrogenous  Manures 
Continued. 


Malt  Sprouts 

Nitrate  of  Soda 

Nitre-cake 

Oleomargarine  refuse . 
Sulphate  of  ammonia . 

Tankage 

Tobacco  stems 

Wool  waste 


IV.    Miscellaneous  Materials. 


Ashes  (anthracite  coal) . . 
Ashes  (bituminous  coal) 

Ashes  (corn-cob) 

Ashes  (lime-kiln) 

Ashes  (peat  and  bog) . . . 

Gas  lime 

Marls  (Maryland) 

Marls  (Massachusetts) .  . 
Marls  (North  Carolina). 

Marls  (Virginia) 

Muck  (fresh) 

Muck  (air-dry) . 


7.40 
1.25 
6.00 
8.54 
1.00 
13.20 
10.61 
9.27 


15.45 

5.20 

4.40 

1.73 

18.18 

1.50 

15.98 

76.20 

21.40 

Mud  (fresh  water) 40 .  37 


4.04 

15.65 

2.30 

12.12 

20.50 

6.82 

2.29 

5.64 


0.30 


Mud  (from  sea-meadows) . 

Peat 

Pine   straw    (dead   leaves 

pine  needles) 

Shells  (mollusks) 

Shells  (crustacea) 

Shell  lime  (oyster  shell) . . . 

Soot 

Spent  tan 

Spent  sumach 

Sugar-house  scum 

Turf 


53.50 
61.50 


7.80 


19.50 
5.54 
14.00 
30.80 
50.20 
19.29 


0.30 
1.30 
1.37 
0.20 
0.75 

0.30 
0.10 
6.20 


0.20 
1.00 
2.10 
1.94 


2.20 
0^40 


6.44 
1.30 


0.10 
0.40 
23 .  20 
0. 
0.70 


1.25 


0.04 
0.49 


0. 
0.20 


0.10 
0.04 
0.20 
0.04 
1.83 
0.10 
0.30 


Phosphoric  Acid. 


Avail- 
able. 


Insolu- 
ble. 


5.02 


6.23 


Total. 


1.70 


0.88 


11.25 
0.60 
0.29 


0.10 
0.40 


1.18 
0.50 


0.38 
1.05 
0.56 
0.09 


0.26 
0.10 


0.20 
0.03 
2.30 
0.20 


0.04 
0.10 


Analyses  of  Farm  Manures. 

Taken  Chiefly  from  Reports  of  the  New  york, 
Massachusetts  and  Connecticut  Experiment  Stations. 


Food  for 
Plants 

26s 


Name  of  Substance. 

Moisture. 

Nitrogen. 

Potash. 

Phosphoric 
Acid. 

Cattle  (solidfreshexcrement) 

0.29 

0.10 

0.17 

Cattle  (fresh  urine) 

0.58 

0.49 

Hen  manure  (fresh) 

1.63 

0.85 

i.54 

Horse  (solid  fresh  excrement) 

0.44 

0.35 

0.17 

Horse  (fresh  urine) 

1.55 

1.50 

.... 

Human  excrement  (solid) .  . 

77.20 

1.00 

0.25 

1.09 

Human  urine 

95.90 

0.60 

0.20 

0.17 

Poudrette  (night  soil) 

.... 

0.80 

0.30 

1.40 

Sheep  (solid  fresh  excrement) 

0.55 

0.15 

0.31 

Sheep  (fresh  urine) 

1.95 

2.26 

0.01 

Stab  e  manure  (mixed) 

73.27 

0.50 

0.60 

0.30 

Swine  (solid  fresh  excrement) 

0.60 

0.13 

0.41 

Swine  (fresh  urine) 

0.43 

0.83 

0.07 

Analyses  of  Fertilizing  Materials  in  Farm  Products. 
Analyses  of  Hay  and  Dry  Coarse  Fodders. 


Name  of  Substance. 


11.      Hay  and  Dry  Coarse 
Fodders. 

Blue  melilot 

Buttercups 

Carrot  tops  (dry) 

Clover  (alsike) 

Clover  (Bokhara) 

Clover  (mammoth  red) .... 

Clover  (medium  red) 

Clover  (white) 

Corn  fodder 

Corn  stover 

Cow-pea  vines 

Daisy  (white) 

Daisy  (ox-eye) 

Hungarian  grass 

Italian  rye-grass 

June  grass 

Lucern  (alfalfa) 


Moisture. 


8.22 

9'76 

9.93 

6.36 

11.41 

10.72 


28.24 
9.00 
9.65 

7.15 
8.29 

6.26 


Nitrogen. 


1.92 
1.02 
3.13 
2.33 
1.77 
2.23 
2.09 
2.75 
1.80 
1.12 
1.64 
0.28 
0.80 
1.16 
1.15 
1.05 
2.07 


Potash. 


2.80 

0.81 
4.88 
2.01 
1.67 
1.22 
2.20 
1.81 
0.76 
1.32 
0.91 
1.25 
2.23 
1.28 
0.99 
1.46 
1.46 


Phosphoric 
Acid. 


0.54 
0.41 
0.61 
0.70 
0.44 
0.55 
0.44 
0.52 
0.51 
0.30 
0.53 
0.44 
0.27 
0.35 
0.55 
0.37 
0.53 


Food  for 
Plants 


266 


Analyses   of  Fertilizing   Materials  in  Farm   Products. 

Continued. 


Name  of  Substance. 


II.  Hay  and  Dry  Coarse 

Fodders — Continued 

Meadow  fescue 

Meadow  foxtail 

Mixed  grasses 

Orchard  grass 

Perennial  rye-grass 

Red-top 

Rowen 

Salt  hay 

Serradella 

Soja  bean 

Tall  meadow  oat 

Timothy  hay 

Vetch  and  oats 

Yellow  trefoil 

III.  Green  Fodders. 

Buckwheat 

Clover  (red) 

Clover  (white) 

Corn  fodder 

Corn  fodder  (ensilage) 

Cow-pea  vines 

Horse  bean 

Lucern  (alfalfa) 

Meadow  grass  (in  flower) .  . 

Millet 

Oats  (green) 

Peas 

Prickly  comf rey 

Rye  grass 

Serradella 

Sorghum 

Spanish  moss 

Vetch  and  oats 

White  lupine 

Young  grass 

IV.  Straw,  Chaff,  Leaves,etc. 

Barley  chaff 

Barley  straw 

Bean  shells 


Moisture. 


9.79 

ll'26 

8.84 
9.13 
7.71 
12.48 
5.36 
7.39 
6.30 

7.5^ 
11.98 


82.60 
80.00 
81.00 
72.64 
71.60 
78.81 
74.71 
75.30 
70.00 
62.58 
83.36 
81.50 

70.00 
82.59 

60^80 
86.11 
85.35 
80.00 


13.08 
13.25 
18.50 


Nitrogen.       Potash. 


0.94 
1.54 
1.37 
1.31 
1.23 
1.15 
1.75 
1.18 
2.70 
2.32 
1.16 
1.26 
1.37 
2.14 


2.01 
2.19 
1.54 
1.88 
1.55 
1.02 
1.97 
0.72 
0.65 
1.08 
1.72 
1.53 
0.90 
0.98 


0.51 

0.43 

0.53 

0.46 

0.56 

0.24 

0.56 

0.62 

0.36 

0.33 

0.27 

0.31 

0.68 

1.37 

0.72 

0.45 

0.44 

0.60 

0.61 

0.41 

0.49 

0.38 

0.50 

0.56 

0.42 

0.75 

0.57 

0.53 

0.41 

0.42 

0.40 

0.32 

0.28 

0.26 

0.24 

0.79 

0.44 

1.73 

0.50 

1.16 

1.01 

0.99 

0.72 

1.16 

1.48 

1.38 

Phosphoric 
Acid. 


Analyses   of  Fertilizing  Materials  in  Farm   Products. 

Continued. 


Food  for 
Plants 

267 


Name  of  Substance. 


IV.  Straw,   Chaff,  Leaves, 
etc. — Continued. 

Beech  leaves  (autumn) 

Buckwheat  straw 

Cabbage  leaves  (air-dried) . 
Cabbage  stalks  (air-dried) . 
Carrots  (stalks  and  leaves) . 

Corn  cobs 

Corn  hulls 

Hops 

Oak  leaves 

Oat  chaff 

Oat  straw 

Pea  shells 

Pea  straw  (cut  in  bloom) .  . 

Pea  straw  (ripe) 

Potato  stalks  and  leaves .  .  . 

Rye  straw 

Sugar-beet  stalks  and  leaves 
Turnip  stalks  and  leaves . .  . 

Wheat  chaff  (spring) 

Wheat  chaff  (winter) 

Wheat  straw  (spring) 

Wheat  straw  (winter) 

V.  Roots,  Tubers,  etc. 

Beets  (red) 

Beets  (sugar) 

Beets  (yellow  fodder) 

Carrots 

Mangolds 

Potatoes 

Ruta  bagas 

Turnips 

VI.  Grains  and  Seeds. 

Barley 

Beans 

Buckwheat 

Corn  kernels 

Corn  kernels  and  cobs  (cob 

meal) 

Hemp  seed 

Linseed 

Lupines 


Moisture. 


Nitrogen. 


15.00 
16.00 
14.60 
16.80 
80.80 
12.09 
11.50 
11.07 
15.00 
14.30 
28.70 
16.65 


77.00 
15.40 
92.65 
89.80 
14.80 
10.56 
15.00 
10.36 


87.73 
84.65 
90.60 
90.02 
87.29 
79.75 
87.82 
87.20 


15.42 

14'l0 

10.88 

10.00 
12.20 
11.80 
13.80 


0.80 
1.30 
0.24 
0.18 
0.51 
0.50 
0.23 
2.53 
0.80 
0.64 
0.29 
1.36 
2.29 
1.04 
0.49 
0.24 
0.35 
0.30 
0.91 
1.01 
0.54 
0.82 


0.24 
0.25 
0.19 
0.14 
0.19 
0.21 
0.21 
0.22 


2.06 
4.10 
.1.44 

1.82 

1.46 
2.62 
3.20 
5.52 


Potash. 


0.30 
2.41 
1.71 
3.49 
0.37 
0.60 
0.24 
1.99 
0.15 
1.04 
0.88 
1.38 
2.32 
1.01 
0.07 
0.76 
0.16 
0.24 
0.42 
0.14 
0.44 
0.32 


0.44 
0.29 
0.46 
0.54 
0.38 
0.29 
0.50 
0.41 


0.73 
1.20 
0.21 
0.40 

0.44 
0.97 
1.04 
1.14 


Phosphoric 
Acid. 


0.24 
0.61 
0.75 
1.06 
0.21 
0.06 
0.02 
1.75 
0.34 
0 .  20 
0.11 
0.55 
0.68 
0.35 
0.06 
0.19 
0.07 
0.13 
0.25 
0.19 
0.18 
0.11 


0.09 
0.08 
0.09 
0.10 
0.09 
0.07 
0.13 
0.12 


0.95 
1.16 
0.44 
0.70 

0.60 
1.75 
1.30 

0.87 


Food  for 
Plants 


268 


Analyses  of  Fertilizing  Materials  in  Farm  Products. 

Continued. 


Name  of  Substance. 


VI.  Grains  and  Seeds — 

Continued. 

Millet 

Oats 

Peas 

Rye 

Soja  beans 

Sorghum . . ; 

Wheat  (spring) 

Wheat  (winter) 

VII.  Flour  and  Meal. 

Corn  meal 

Ground  barley 

Hominy  feed 

Pea  meal 

Rye  flour 

Wheat  flour 

VIII.  By-products  and 

Refuse. 

Apple  pomace 

Cotton  hulls 

Cotton-seed  meal 

Glucose  refuse 

Gluten  meal 

Hop  refuse 

Linseed  cake  (new  process) 
Linseed  cake  (old  process) . 

Malt  sprouts 

Oat  bran 

Rye  middlings 

Spent  brewers'  grains  (dry) 
Spent  brewers'  grains  (wet) 

Wheat  bran 

Wheat  middlings 

IX.  Dairy  Products. 

Milk 

Cream 

Skim-milk 

Butter 

Butter-milk 

Cheese    (from    unskimmed 

milk) 

Cheese  (from  half-skimmed 

milk) 

Cheese  (from  skimmed  milk) 


Moisture.     Nitrogen.       Potash.  a^. 


13.00 
20.80 
19.10 
14.90 
18.83 
14.00 
14.75 
15.40 

13.52 

13.43 

8.93 

8.85 

14.20 

9.83 


80.50 
10.63 

8.10 
8.53 
8.98 
6.12 
7.79 

10.28 
8.19 

12.54 
6.98 

75.01 

11.01 
9.18 

87.20 
68.80 
90.20 
13.60 
90.10 

38.00 

39.80 
46.00 


2.40 
1.75 
4.26 
1.76 
5.30 
1.48 
2.36 
2.83 

2.05 
1.55 
1.63 

3.08 
1.68 
2.21 


0.23 
0.75 
6.52 
2.62 
5.43 
0.98 
5.40 
6.02 
3.67 
2.25 
1.84 
3.05 
0.89 
2.88 
2.63 


0.47 
0.41 
1.23 
0.54 
1.99 
0.42 
0.61 
0.50 

0.44 
0.34 
0.49 
0.99 
0.65 
0.54 


0.13 
1.08 
1.89 
0.15 
0.05 
0.11 
1.16 
1.16 
1.60 
0.66 
0.81 
1.55 
0.05 
1.62 
0.63 


0.58 

0.17 

0.58 

0.09 

0.58 

0.19 

0.12 

0.64 

0.09 

4.05 

0.29 

4.75 

0.29 

5.45 

0.20 

Analyses   of  Fertilizing  Materials  in  Farm   Products. 
Continued. 


Food  for 
Plants 

269 


Name  of  Substance. 


X.     Flesh  of  Farm  Animals. 

Beef 

Calf  (whole  animal) 

Ox 


Pig 

Sheep 

XI.     Garden  Products. 

Asparagus 

Cabbage 

Cucumbers 

Lettuce 

Onions 


Moisture.     Nitrogen 


77.00 
66.20 
59.70 
52.80 
59.10 


3.60 
2.50 
2.66 
2.00 

2.24 

0.32 
0.30 
0.16 
0.20 
0.27 


Potash. 


Phosphoric 
Acid. 


0.52 
0.24 
0.17 
0.90 
0.15 

0.12 
0.43 
0.24 
0.25 
0.25 


0.43 
1.38 
1.86 
0.44 
1.23 

0.09 
0.11 
0.12 
0.11 
0.13 


Table  Showing  the  Number  of  Pounds  of  Nitrogen,  Phos- 
phoric  Acid,   and   Potash  Withdrawn   Per 
Acre  by  an  Average  Crop. 

(From  New  York,  New  Jersey  and  Connecticut  Experiment 
Stations'  Reports.) 


Name  of  Crop. 


Barley 

Buckwheat 

Cabbage  (white) 

Cauliflower 

Cattle  turnips 

Carrots 

Clover,  green  (trifolium  pratense) 

Clover  (trifolium  pratense) 

Clover,  scarlet  (trifolium  incarnatum) 

Clover  (trifolium  repens) 

Cow  pea 

Corn 

Corn  fodder  (gr^en) 

Cotton 

Cucumbers 

Esparsette 

Hops 

Hemp 

Lettuce 

Lucern 

Lupine,  green  (for  fodder) 

Lupine,  yellow  (lupinus  luteus) 

Meadow  hay 


Nitrogen. 

Phosphoric 
Acid. 

78 

35 

63 

40 

213 

125 

202 

76 

187 

74 

166 

65 

171 

46 

37 

18 

95 

17 

89 

29 

254 

64 

146 

69 

122 

66 

110 

32 

142 

94 

239 

36 

200 

54 

34 

41 

17 

289 

65 

219 

46 

80 

37 

166 

53 

Potash. 

62" 

17 

514 

265 

426 

190 

154 

29 

57 

58 

169 

174 

236 

35 

193 

103 

127 

54 

72 

181 

63 

155 

201 


Food  for    Table   Showing  the   Number  of  Pounds   of  Nitrogen,   Phos- 
^^^^^  phoric   Acid,   and   Potash  Withdrawn  Per 

270  Acre  by  an  Average  Crop. 

Continued. 


Name  of  Crop. 


Oats 

Onions 

Peas  (pisuni  sativum 

Poppy 

Potatoes 

Rape 

Rice 

Rye 

Seradella 

Soja  bean 

Sugar  cane 

Sorghum  (sorghum  saccharatum) 

Sugar  beet  (beet-ro  t) 

Tobacco 

Vetch  (visia  sativa) 

Wheat 


Potash. 


96 

96 

69 

87 

192 

124 

45 

76 

196 

87 

107 

561 

200 

148 

113 

58 


Fertilizer  Experiments  on  Meadow  Land. 

(Kentucky  Agricultural  Experiment  Station  Bulletin, 
No.  23,  February,  1890.) 

On  low  and  decidedly  wet  land. 

English  Blue  Grass. 


Sulphate  of  potash .  . 
Muriate  of  potash . . . 

Nitrate  of  Soda 

Sulphate  of  ammonia 

No  fertilizer 

Stable  manure 

Tobacco  stems 


160 
160 
160 
130 

20  loads 
4,000 


3,000 
2,950 
3,100 
3,600 
2,850 
2,970 
4,700 


Fertilizer  Experiments  on  Meadow  Land. 
Timothy. 


-Continued. 


Kind  of  Fertilizer  Used. 


Sulphate  of  potash.  . 
Muriate  of  potash . . . 
Nitrate  of  Soda. .... 
Sulphate  of  ammonia 

No  fertilizer 

Stable  manure 

Tobacco  stems 


Amount 
Per  Acre 
in  Pounds, 


160 
160 
160 
130 

20  loads 
4,000 


Yield  of 
Hay  in 
Pounds 

Per  Acre. 


1,900 
2,320 
2,670 
2,520 
1,620 
2,200 
3,350 


Food  for 
Plants 


271 


Time  Required  for  the  Complete  Exhaustion  of  Available 
Fertilizmg  Materials  and  the  Amounts  of  Each  Remam- 
ing  m  the  Soil  Durmg  a  Period  of  Seven  Years. 
(From  Scottish  Estimates.) 


ON  UNCULTIVATED  CLAY  LOAM. 

Per  cent,  remaining  in  the  soil  un- 

Kind  of  Fertilizer.  Exhausted  exhausted  at  the  end  of  each 

(in  years) .  year. 

12      3      4      5  6  7 

Lime               12           80     65     55     45     35  25  20 

Bone  meal 5           60     30     20     10     00  00  00 

Phosphatic  guanos 5           50     30     20     10     00  00  00 

Dissolved   bones   and   plain 

superphosphates. 4           20     10       5     00     00  00  00 

High  grade  ammoniated  fer- 
tilizers, guano,  etc 3           30     20     00     00     00  00  00 

Cotton-seed  meal 5           40     30     20     10     00  00  00 

Barn-yard  manure 5           60     30     20     10     00  00  00 

ON  UNCULTIVATED  LIGHT  OR  MEDIUM  SOILS. 

Lime                   10           75     60     40     30     20  15  . . 

Bone  meal 4           60     30     10     00     00  00  .. 

Phosphatic  guanos 4           50     20     10     00     00  00  .. 

Dissolved   bones   and   plain 

superphosphates... 3           20     10       5     00     00  00  00 

High   grade   ammoniates, 

euanos                        3           30     20     00     00     00  00  00 

Cotton-seed  meal 4           40     30     20     10     00  00  00 

Barn-yard  manure 4           60     30     10     00     00  00  00 


Plants 


ON  UNCULTIVATED  PASTURE  LAND. 


Per  cent,  remaining  in  the  soil  un- 

272  Kind  of  Fertilizer.  Exhausted  exhausted  at  the  end   of  each 

year, 

1  2  3  Jf  5  6  7 

Lime 15  80  70  60  50  45  40  35 

Bone  meal 7  60  50  40  30  20  10  00 

Phosphatic  guano 6  50  40  30  20  10  00  80 

Dissolved  bone,  etc 4  30  20  10  00  00  00  00 

High  grade  ammoniated 

guanos 4  30  20  10  00  00  00  00 

Cotton-seed  meal 5  40  30  20  10  00  00  00 

Barn-yard  manure 7  60  50  40  30  20  10  00 

The  figures  given  above  are  always  used  in  fixing 
the  price  for  new  tenants.  In  this  country  no  such 
careful  estimates  have  been  made,  but  the  proportions 
probably  vary  but  little  from  those  in  other  countries. 


Amounts  of  Nitrogen,  Phosphoric  Acid,  and 

Potash  Found   Profitable   for  Different 

Crops  Under  Average   Conditions 

Per  Acre. 

(Taken   Chiefly   from   New  Jersey   Experiment   Station's 

Reports.) 

Phosphoric 
Nitrogen,  Acid,  Potash. 

Pounds.         Pounds.         Pounds. 

Wheat,  rye,  oats,  corn 16  40  30 

Potatoes  and  root  crops 20  25  40 

Clover,  beans,  peas  and  other  legum- 
inous crops 40  60 

Fruit  trees  and  small  fruits 25  40  75 

General  garden  produce 30  40  60 


Rotation  in   Crops. 

In  the  changed  conditions  of  agriculture  elaborate 
systems  of  crop  rotation  are  no  longer  necessary.  With 
the  help  of  chemical  manures  and  the  judicious  use  of 
renovating  crops  farmers  are  no  longer  subject  to  rigid 
rule,  but  may  adapt  rotations  to  the  varying  demands 
of  local  market  conditions. 


Some   American   Rotations. 

Food  for 

Potatoes. 

Plants 

1. 

1 , 

Potatoes. 

2. 

Wheat. 

2. 

Wheat. 

273 

3. 

Clover. 

3. 

Grass,  timothy  and  clover. 

4. 

Clover. 

4. 

Grass,  timothy  and  clover. 

5. 

Wheat,  oats  or  rye. 

5. 

Corn. 

1. 

Roots. 

1. 

Roots. 

"Z. 

Wheat. 

2. 

Wheat. 

3. 

Clover. 

3. 

Clover. 

4. 

Clover. 

4. 

Clover. 

5. 

Corn,  oatj 

*  or  rye. 

5. 
6. 

Wheat. 
Oats. 

RESULTS   IN   NEW  YORK. 

The  general  practice  among  farmers  is  to  buy  com- 
plete medium  or  low-grade  fertilizers  in  preference  to 
high-grade  fertilizers.  In  high-grade  goods,  the  cost  of 
plant -food  is  considerably  less  than  in  fertilizers  of 
lower  grade. 

Available  phosphoric  acid  is  cheapest  in  the  form 
of  dissolved  rock  (acid  phosphate).  Bone-meal  fur- 
nishes a  cheap  source  of  phosphoric  acid  in  less  available 
form.  Nitrate  of  Soda  is  one  of  the  cheapest  sources 
of  Nitrogen.  Nitrogen  in  the  form  of  dried  blood  is 
rather  high.  Potash  in  the  form  of  muriate  is  the 
cheapest  source  of  potash.  In  mixtures  of  fertilizing 
materials,  whether  complete  or  incomplete,  the  plant- 
food  usually  costs  more  than  in  unmixed  materials. 

When  purchasing  mixed  fertilizers,  farmers  are 
advised  to  purchase  only  high-grade  goods,  and  then  to 
make  a  commercial  valuation  to  compare  with  the 
selling  price.  Even  in  high-grade  goods,  the  selling 
price  should  not  exceed  the  commercial  valuation  by 
more  than  $5. 

For  greatest  economy,  farmers  are  advised  to 
purchase  unmixed  materials  and  do  their  own  mixing; 
or,  in  the  case  of  clubs,  several  farmers  can  purchase 
their  unmixed  materials  and  hire  a  fertilizer  manufac- 
turer to  do  the  mixing  for  them. 

The  following  data,  taken  from  the  last  U.  S. 
Census  Report,  are  of  interest  in  this  connection  as 


Food  for  indicating   in   what  portion   of   the   State   the   largest 
_^^  amount  of  money  is  expended  for  commercial  fertilizers : 

2  7  J. 

Long  Island  (Counties  of  Nassau,  Queens  and 

Suffolk) $1,241,280 

Monroe  County 214,000 

Erie  Countv.  .] 186,370 

Cayuga  County 131,260 

Oneida  County. .. 112,630 

Onondaga,  Ontario,  Wayne,  Ulster,  Chautau- 
qua, each  from  $102,000  to 110,000 

These  twelve  counties  use   about   one-half  of  the 
commercial  fertilizers  used  in  the  entire  State. 


Composition   of  Fertilizers   in  Different  Classes. 

If  we  compare  our  four  different  classes  of  com- 
plete fertilizers  in  respect  to  the  average  amounts  of 
Nitrogen,  available  phosphoric  acid  and  potash  con- 
tained in  them,  we  have  the  following  table: 

Composition   of  Different  Grades   of  Fertilizers. 


In  100  Pounds 

OF  Fertilizer. 

Class  of  Fertilizers. 

Pounds 

of 
Nitrogen. 

Pounds 

of  Available 

Phosphoric 

Acid. 

Pounds 

of 
Potash. 

Pounds 

of  Total 

Plant-food. 

1.22 
1.70 
2.47 
4.00 

8.18 
9.10 
8.82 
8.36 

2.60 

3.48 
6.02 

7 .  22 

12.00 

Medium-grade 

Medium  high-grade 

High-grade 

14.28 
17.37 
19.60 

In  the  fourth  column,  under  the  heading  ''pounds 
of  total  plant-food,"  we  give  the  sum  of  the  Nitrogen, 
available  phosphoric  acid  and  potash.  We  notice  the 
following  points  in  connection  with  this  table: 

1.  The  percentage  of  phosphoric  acid  does  not 
vary  greatly  in  the  different  classes  of  fertilizers. 

2.  The  percentage  of  Nitrogen  and  of  potash  in- 
creases in  the  higher  grades. 

3.  The  total  amount  of  plant-food  in  100  pounds 
of  fertilizer  increases  in  the  higher  grades,  this  increase 
being  due  to  increase  of  Nitrogen  and  potash. 


4.  Representing  the  amount  of  Nitrogen  in  each  pf^J°^ 

grade  of  fertihzer  as  1,  we  have  the  following  pro})or- . 

tions  of  available  phosphoric  acid  and  potash  in  the      -7S 
different  grades: 

Composition  of  Different  Grades   of  Fertilizers. 


Low-grade 

Medium-grade 

Medium  high-grade 
High-grade 


Nitrogen. 


Available 

Phosphoric 

Acid. 


o  .o 
3.5 


Potash. 


Cost   of   One   Pound   of   Plant-Food   in   Different 
Grades   of  Fertilizers. 


Low- 
Grade. 


Cost  of  one  pound  of  Nitrogen 

Lowest 

Highest 

Average 

Cost  of  one  pound  of  Available 
Phosphoric  Acid. 

Lowest 

Highest 

Average 

Cost  of  one  pound  of  Potash. 

Lowest 

Highest 

Average 


Medium- 
Grade. 


Cents. 
W 

36.8 
^26.3 


6.1 
11.1 

8.0 


5.2 
9.5 

6.8 


Cents. 
17.9 
28.3 
23.2 


5.4 

8.6 
7.0 


4.6 
7.3 
6.0 


Medium 
High- 
Grade. 


Cents. 
17 
26 
21 


4.4 
6.9 
5.4 


High- 
Grade. 


Cents. 
13.3 
26.0 
19.6 


4.25 

7.9 
6.0 


3.4 
6.7 
5.0 


From  these  data,  we  readily  see  the  truth  of  the 
following  statements: 

1.  The  cost  of  one  pound  of  plant-food,  whether 
Nitrogen,  phosphoric  acid  or  potash,  is  greatest  in 
low-grade  and  least  in  high-grade  fertilizers.  One 
purchaser  of  low-grade  goods  paid  36.8  cents  per  pound 
for  Nitrogen,  while  the  highest  price  paid  in  high-grade 


Food  for  goods  was  ^26  cents,  which  is  less  than  the  average  paid 

^^^"^^  for  Nitrogen   in   low-grade  goods.     The  least  amount 

276      paid  for  one  pound  of  Nitrogen  in  low-grade  goods  was 

20    cents,    in    high-grade    goods    13.3    cents.     Similar 

relations  hold  good  in  respect  to  the  other  elements  of 

plant-food. 

2.  In  general,  the  higher  the  grade  of  goods,  the 
lower  the  cost  of  each  pound  of  plant-food. 


Tabulated   General   Summary. 

In  the  table  following,  we  give  a  general  summary 
of  the  data  that  have  been  presented,  showing  the  cost 
of  one  pound  of  plant-food  in  different  forms  to  con- 
sumers : 

Cost  of  One   Pound   of  Plant-Food  to   Consumers. 


Lowest. 

Highest 

Aveiage. 

Nitrogen  in 

.  Low-grade  complete  fertilizers. 

Medium-grade  complete  fertilizers.    . 
Medium  high-grade  complete  fertilizers 
High-grade  complete  fertilizers 

T)ripH    VilooH                                             

Cents. 
20 
17.9 
17 

13.3 
14.8 
11.5 
13 

6.1 

5.4 

5.1 

4.25 

4.3 

4.4 

3.1 

5.2 
4.6 
4.4 
3.4 
3.7 
4.4 

Cents. 
36.8 
28.3 
26 
26 
22 . 9 

lo 

IJ.l 

8.6 
8.1 
7.9 
19.5 
11.0 
8.6 

9.5 
7.3 
6.9 
6.7 
16.5 

4.9 

1 

Cents. 
26.3 
23.2 
21 

19.6 
18.5 

Tinnp-mppI                                       

14.9 

Nitrate  of  Soda                 

13.9 

Phosphoric  Acid  in 

T  n«--o'r5irlf>  fnnmlptp  fpT'tulZPrs 

8.0 

Medium-grade  complete  fertilizers. 
Medium  high-grade  complete  fertilizers 

High-grade  complete  fertilizer.s 

Phosphoric  acid  and  potash  mixtures.. 

Acid  phosphate  or  dissolved  rock 

Bone  (total)                    

7.0 
6.4 
6.0 

5.1 
S.9S 

Potash  in 

T.nw-crrfirlp  pnmnlptp  fprtillZPrs 

6.8 

Medium-grade  complete  fertihzers 

Medium  high-grade  complete  fertilizers 

High-grade  complete  fertihzers 

Phosphoric  acid  and  potash  mixtures. . 

6.0 
5A 
5.0 
5.6 
4.6 

Plants  can  take  up  Nitrogen  only  in  the  form  of  pJ^J®'" 

Nitrates — that  is,  in  combination  with  alkaline  base, 

such  as  lime  or  sodium.  '^n 

The  Nitrogen  contained  in  all  fertiHzers,  with  the 
exception  of  Nitrate  of  Soda,  must  first  be  nitrified — 
that  is,  converted  into  Nitrate — before  the  plant  can 
take  it  up.  This  nitrification  is  always  attended  with 
greater  or  less  loss  of  Nitrogen. 

A  sufficiency  of  lime  in  the  soil  hastens  nitrification, 
while  a  scarcity  of  lime  retards  it.  Nitrate  of  Soda  is 
the  only  nitrogenous  fertilizer  that  will  do  its  work 
perfectly  without  lime,  because  it  already  contains 
Nitrogen  in  a  form  that  is  capable  of  absorption  by 
plants. 

Leguminous  plants  assimilate  free  Nitrogen  from 
the  air  through  the  medium  of  the  micro-organisms 
inhabiting  the  nodules  found  in  their  roots.  Legumi- 
nous plants,  in  the  early  stages  of  their  growth,  avail 
themselves  of  the  Nitrates  in  the  soil.  Nitrate  of  Soda 
has  been  very  profitably  used  in  the  cultivation  of 
Lucern,  or  "Alfalfa,"  etq. 

Crops  that  have  suffered  from  wintering,  from 
insects,  etc.,  can,  in  most  cases,  be  considerably  im- 
proved by  top-dressing  with  Nitrate  of  Soda. 

When  the  soil  is  very  poor  in  potash,  the  soda 
contained  in  Nitrate  of  Soda  will,  to  a  certain  extent, 
serve  as  a  substitute  for  potash.  It  is  not,  however,  a 
perfect  substitute.  Poverty  in  potash  can  be  fully  made 
good  only  by  applying  a  sufficient  quantity  of  a  potash 
fertilizer. 

Nitrate  of  Soda  is  easily  soluble,  and  it  distributes 
itself  immediately  through  the  soil. 

Distribution   of  Nitrogen   in  the   Grain  and   Straw  of  the 

Principal  Cereals. 

Nitrogen  per  Two  and  One-Half  Acres. 

GRAIN. 

Oats,  Barley,  Wheat,  Rye, 

82.42  lbs.  86.61  lbs.  81.10  lbs.  67.4-1  lbs. 

Rape  Seed,  Peas,  Vetches,  Broad  Beans, 

176.32  lbs.  117.03  lbs.  143.92  lbs.  181.16  lbs. 


Food  for 
Plants 

278 


STRAW. 


Oats, 
26.4     lbs. 

Rape  Seed, 
29.75  lbs. 


Barley, 
26.4     lbs. 

Peas, 
118.35  lbs. 


Wheat, 
33.06  lbs. 

Vetches, 
112.40  lbs. 


Rye, 

29.31  lbs. 

Broad  Beans, 
79.34  lbs. 


Distribution  of  Nitrogen  in  the     Principal  Root  Crops. 
Nitrogen  per  Two  and  One-Half  Acres. 


Sugarbeet,       Beetroot, 
105.79  lbs.     138.85  lbs. 


Sugarbeet, 
52.89  lbs. 


Beetroot, 
80.66  lbs. 


ROOTS. 

Swedes, 
165.30  lbs. 


LEAF. 

Swedes, 
55.1  lbs. 


Carrots,  Potatoes, 

145.46  lbs.     112.40  lbs. 

Tubers. 


Carrots,  Potatoes, 

168.60  lbs.       15.11  lbs. 

Shaws. 


The  figures  in  this  table  show  how  many  pounds  of 
Nitrogen  are  withdrawn  from  two  and  one-half  acres  of 
ground. 

Thus  in  the  low  grade  "complete  fertilizers"  the 
consumer  pays  more  for  his  Nitrogen  than  he  pays  for 
it  in  Nitrate  of  Soda  at  One  Hundred  Dollars  ($100.00) 
per  ton!!! 

In  the  medium  grade  "complete  fertilizers"  he 
pays  more  than  he  would  pay  for  it  in  Nitrate  of  Soda 
at  Eighty  Dollars  ($80.00)  per  ton!! 

In  the  high  grade  "complete  fertilizers"  he  pays 
as  much  for  it  as  he  would  pay  for  it  in  Nitrate  of  Soda 
at  Seventy-One  Dollars  ($71.00)  per  ton! 

Besides  which,  since  one  must  buy  nearly  Twenty 
Tons  of  low  grade  fertilizer  to  get  a  ton  of  Nitrate  of 
Soda,  or  anything  like  its  equivalent,  there  is  a  material 
saving  in  freight  which  may  amount  to  95  per  cent,  of 
the  cost.  Instead  of  transporting  twenty  tons  of  more 
or  less  inert  material  you  need  only  to  pay  the  freight 
charges  on  one  ton  of  concentrated  plant  food — that  is : 
substance  instead  of  shadow. 

Since  Nitrate  of  Soda  is  the  one  immediately 
available  Nitrogenous  plant  food,  and  costs  less  per 


279 


pound  for  the  available  Nitrogen  it  contains,  than  any  l°^^l°' 
other  Nitrogenous  fertilizer,   its  rational  use  is  most  - 
profitable  at  present,  and  has  been  so  since  the  very 
beginning  of  its  use  in  agriculture. 

What  Experiment  Station  Directors  Say  : 

"I  can  safely  state  that  there  are  a  large  number 
of  farmers  in  New  Jersey  who  mix  their  fertilizers  and 
who  find  home-mixed  material  very  satisfactory  and 
less  costly  than  the  manufactured  products." — ^Jacob 
B.  LiPMAN,  Director  New  Jersey  Agric.  Exp't.  Station. 

"We  advocate  home  mixing  of  fertilizers  mainly 
from  the  fact  that  we  can  modify  the  fertilizers  to  suit 
the  crop  and  the  soil,  and  can  avoid  the  purchase  of 
elements  not  required  for  ordinary  purposes."— W.  R. 
DoDSON,  Dean  and  Director,  La.  State  University 
College  of  Agriculture  and  Agric.  Exp't.  Station. 

"We  practice  and  preach  that  farmers  should  mix 
their  own  fertilizers.  In  our  experience,  it  is  entirely 
practical  for  the  farmer  to  mix  his  own  fertilizer. 
The  work  can  be  done  thoroughly  enough  for  all  prac- 
tical purposes." — H.  J.  Patterson,  Director  Maryland 
Agric.  Exp't.  Station. 

"This  Station  has  for  the  past  ten  years  advised 
farmers  to  buy  high  grade  raw  materials  and  mix  their 
fertilizers  at  home.  The  home  mixing  cheapens  the 
cost  of  fertilizers  since  only  such  elements  as  are  needed 
by  the  plant  or  are  deficient  in  the  soil  are  used.  Prac- 
tically all  of  our  most  intelligent  farmers  mix  their 
fertilizers  at  home."— E.  R.  Lloyd,  Director  Mississippi 
Agric.  Exp't.  Station. 

"We  find  that  as  a  farm  proposition,  home-mixed 
fertilizers  are  more  economical  and  more  effective  than 
the  regular  factory  brands." — Chas.  E.  Thorne, 
Director  Ohio  Agric.  Exp't.  Station. 

"On  every  account,  however,  financial,  educational, 
agricultural,  it  is  better  to  buy  the  crude  stock  and 
home  mix  if  one  uses  a  ton  or  more." — J.  L.  Hills, 
Director  Vermont  Agric.  Exp't.  Station. 


Food  for  \Ye  could  give  many  additional  recommendations 

^^^^^  of  home-mixing,  but  it  will  suffice  to  state  that  of  37 
280      Stations  heard  from,  35  advocate  this  practice. 

Frequently  fertilizers  mixed  in  the  factories,  upon 
being  analyzed,  show  a  considerable  variation  and  the 
claim  of  "uniform  mixed"  is  not  a  vaHd  one.  In  order 
to  secure  uniform  mixture  it  is  just  as  necessary  to 
observe  care  in  the  factory  as  on  the  farm. 

The  claim  made  by  fertilizer  manufacturers  that 
they  only  enjoy  a  monopoly  of  the  custom  and  habit  of 
being  careful  and  painstaking  in  their  work  is  not 
justified  by  the  facts.  Frequent  practical  trials  of 
home  mixing  by  farmers  show  variations  of  less  than 
two-tenths  of  one  per  cent,  as  between  calculated  and 
actual  percentages  found  by  analysis. 

Moreover,  the  composition  of  ready-mixed  fer- 
tilizers varies  with  the  opinion  of  the  manufacturer. 
For  example:  In  New  Jersey  there  have  been  over 
fifty  different  fertilizers  for  potatoes  offered  as  being 
precisely  the  thing  for  the  potato  crop,  yet  varying 
widely  in  their  percentage  composition. 

Bulletin  No.  173  of  the  Alabama  Experiment 
Station  states  that  Nitrate  of  Soda  is  the  most  effective 
source  of  nitrogen  for  oats  and  that  it  should  be  applied 
as  a  top  dressing  in  March  for  that  crop. 

When  gold  ore  is  sent  to  an  assay  office  to  be 
analyzed  the  sender  wishes  to  have  the  number  of 
ounces  of  gold  per  ton  determined;  in  other  words  he 
wants  to  know  the  percentage  of  gold  in  the  ore. 

In  buying  a  fertilizer  the  user  ought  similarly  to 
know  the  percentage  of  nitrogen  (which  is  the  gold  of 
the  fertihzer),  for  it  is  worth  five  times  more  in  the  open 
market  than  any  other  constituent  that  the  fertilizer 
may  contain.  When  you  buy  your  fertilizer,  therefore, 
why  not  inform  yourself  of  this  very  vital  gold  point. 

You  can  make  as  much  money  by  careful  pur- 
chasing of  supplies  for  your  farm  as  you  can  in  wise 
marketing  of  what  you  produce.  Insist  on  knowing 
values  and  the  nature  and  quality  of  the  Nitrogen  in 
your  goods,  which  is  worth  more  than  anything  else  in 
the  open  market  to  you  personally  for  use  on  your  land. 


FERTILIZERS. 

After   the    original  Chart  arranged  by  Director  J.  L.  Hills,  of  the 

Vermont   Experiment   Station,  for  the   U.  S.  Government 

Fertilizer  Exhibit  at  the  St.  Louis  Exposition. 

Average  cost  of  a  pound  of  plant  food  in  "low," 
"medium"  and  "high"  grade  "complete  fertilizers" 
(Vermont,   1903.) 


Food  for 
Plants 


The  Nitrogen  Cost  per  lb. 


=  $102  a  Ton  for 
Nitrate  of  Soda. 

a  Ton  for 
Nitrate  of  Soda. 


=  $71  a  Ton  for 
Nitrate  of  Soda. 


The  Nitrogen  in  Nitrate  of  Soda,  in  1903,  cost  15  cents  per  lb. 

The  Available  Phosphoric  Acid  Cost  per  lb. 

in  low  grade. 

in  medium  grade. 

in  high  grade. 

The  Phosphoric  Acid  in  Acid  Phosphate,  in  1903,  cost  4><  cents 
per  lb. 

The  Actual  Potash  Cost  per  lb. 


in  low  grade, 
in  medium  grade. 

n  high  grade. 

The  Actual  Potash  in  Sulphate  of  Potash,  in  1903,  cost  5  cents 
per  lb. 


282 


Food  for  Table  of  Quantities  Required  per  Acre.  Sow  (if  alone)  per  Acre 

Plants 

Agrostis  stolonifera — See  Creeping  Bent 2  bushels 

canina — See  R.  I.  Bent 3  bushels 

vulgaris— See  Red  Top 3  bushels 

"  "       — Fancy 20  lbs. 

Alopecurus  pratensis — See  Meadow  Foxtail 3  to  4  bushels 

Anthoxanthum  odoratum — See  Sweet  Vernal,  peren 3  K  bushels 

Avena  elatior — -See  Tall  Meadow  Oat  Grass 3  bushels 

Arrhenatherum  avenaeeum — See  Tall  Meadow  Oat  Grass 4  to  5  bushels 

Awnless  Brome  Grass 20  to  25  lbs. 

Alsike  or  Hybrid  Clover 8  lbs. 

Alfalfa  Clover 20  to  25  lbs. 

Artichokes 8  to  10  bushels 

AustraHan  Salt  Bush 2  lbs. 

Barley Broadcast,  2  to  2 >^  bushels;  Drilled,  1  K  to  2  bushels 

Beet  Sugar 6  to  8  ibs. 

Bermuda  Grass 6  lbs. 

Bromus  inermis — See  Awnless  Brome  Grass 20  to  25  lbs. 

Bokhara  Clover 10  lbs. 

Broom  Corn 8  to  10  lbs. 

Buckwheat 1  bushel 

Beans,  Field Drilled,  1  bushel 

Canada  Blue  Grass 3  bushels 

Cynodon  dactylon — See  Bermuda  Grass 6  lbs. 

Creeping  Bent  or  Fiorin 2  bushels 

Crested  Dog's  Tail IK  bushels 

Cynosurus  cristatus — See  Crested  Dog's  Tail 1}4  bushels 

Cow  Grass — See  Mammoth  Red  Clover 10  to  12  lbs. 

Crimson  or  Carnation — See  Scarlet  Clover 14  lbs. 

Corn,  Dent  and  Flint 8  to  10  qts. 

Fodder Broadcast,  2  bushels;  Drilled,  1  bushel 

"       Pop 6  to  8  qts. 

Carrots 4  lbs. 

Cotton 15  lbs. 

Dactylis  glomerata — See  Orchard  Grass 3  bushels 

Douras 8  to  10  lbs. 

English  Blue  Grass— See  Meadow  Fescue 2^/4  bushels 

or  Perennial  Rye  Grass 2  K  to  3  bushels 

Festuca  elatior — See  Tall  Meadow  Fescue 2}4  bushels 

"        heterophylla — See  Various  Leaved  Fescue 3  bushels 

"        ovina — -See  Sheep's  Fescue. 2}4  bushels 

"  "      tenuif olia — See  Fine  Leaved  Sheep's  Fescue 3  bushels 

"        pratensis — See  Meadow  Fescue 2>^  bushels 

rubra — See  Red  Fescue 2}4  bushels 

duriuscula — See  Hard  Fescue 2  >^  bushels 

Fine  Leaved  Sheep's  Fescue 3  bushels 

Flax  Seed 'A  to   V^  bushels 

Fiorin — See  Creeping  Bent 2  bushels 

Grasses,  Permanent  Pasture  Mixtures 3  bushels 

Clover  for  above 10  lbs. 

Renovating  Mixture 1  bushel 

Lawn 5  bushels 

Herd's  Grass  (of  the  South)— See  Red  Top 3  bushels 

"       (of  the  North)— See  Timothy , >^  to  1  bushel 

Hungarian  Grass — See  Hungarian  Millet 1  bushel 

Hard  Fescue 2%  bushels 

Italian  Rye  Grass 3  bushels 

June  Grass— See  Kentucky  Blue 2  to  3  bushels 

"     Clover— See  Red  Clover 10  to  12  lbs. 

Japan  Clover ^'^  ',''^- 

Johnson  Grass 1  bushel 

Jerusalem  Corn 5  lbs. 

Kaffir  Corn 8  to  10  lbs. 

Kentucky  Blue  Grass 3  bushels 


Table  of  Quantities  Required  per  Acre.  Sow  (if  alone)  per  Acre  Food  for 

Plants 

Lupins 2  to  3  bushels  

Lolium  italicum — See  Italian  Rye  Grass 3  bushels  n 

Lolium  perenne — See  English  Rye  Grass 2'/i  to  3  bushels  ^°i 

Lucerne— See  Alfalfa 20  to  25  lbs. 

Lespedeza  striata — See  Japan  Clover 14  lbs. 

Meadow  Foxtail 3  to  4  bushels 

"         Fescue 2}4  bushels 

Mammoth  or  Pea  Vine  Clover 10  to  12  lbs. 

Medicago  sativa — See  Alfalfa 20  lbs. 

Millo  Maize— See  Douras 8  to  10  lbs. 

Millet,  German  and  Hungarian 1  bushel 

Pearl,  Egyptian,  Cat-Tail  or  Horse  Millet Drills,  5  to  6  lbs.;  Broadcast,  8  lbs. 

"        Japanese Drills,  10  lbs.  per  acre;  Broadcast,  15  lbs. 

Mangels 6  to  8  lbs. 

Melilotus  alba — See  Bokhara  Ciover 10  ibs. 

Onobrychis  sativa — See  Sainfoin 3  to  4  bushels 

Orchard  Grass 3  bushels 

Oats 3  bushels 

Parsnip 6  lbs. 

Poa  nemoralis — See  Wood  Meadow  Grass 2  bushels 

"     pratensis — See  Kentucky  Blue 2  to  3  bushels 

"     trivialis — See  Rough  Stalked  Meadow  Grass 1 J^  bushels 

"     arachnifera — See  Texas  Blue  Grass 6  lbs. 

"     compressa 3  bushels 

Phleum  pratense — See  Timothy }4  to  1   bushel 

Potatoes 12  to  14  bushels 

Peas,  Field 3  bushels 

"      Cow 2  bushels 

Pea  Vine  Clover— See  Mammoth  Clover 10  to  12  lbs. 

Perennial  Red  Clover — See  Mammoth  Clover 10  to  12  lbs. 

Rape,  EngUsh 2  to  4  lbs. 

Red  Top 3  bushels 

"        "     Fancy •  ■  20  lbs. 

Rhode  Island  Bent 3  bushels 

Red  or  Creeping  Fescue 2K  bushels 

Rough  Stalked  Meadow  Grass IM   bushels 

Red  Clover  (Common  or  June  Clover) 10  to  12  lbs. 

Reana  luxurians— See  Teosinte 6  to  8  lbs. 

f{ye 1 54  bushels 

RutaBaga. '.'..' .'.'.'.'." 2  to  3  lbs. 

Sorghum  Halapense — See  Johnson  Grass •  -  ■  1  bushel 

Sweet  Vernal— true  perennial 3K  bushels 

Sheep's  Fescue „•   ^K  bushels 

Smooth  Stalked  Meadow  Grass — See  Kentucky  Blue 2  to  3  bushCiS 

Sweet  Clover— See  Bokhara  Clover 10  lbs. 

Scarlet  Clover n  '  " '  ;  J  ^  I, 

Sainfoin 3  to  4  bushels 

Sorghums 8^to  10    bs. 

Sugar  Beet o  x*°,«  !u  ' 

Sugar  Canes 8  to  10  lbs. 

Sunflower t  ?i. 

Swedish  Clover — See  Alsike /  •,**  V 


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Texas  Blue  Grass • •  •  •  ^  l^f' 

Tall  Meadow  Oat  Grass 4  to  5  bushe  s 

Fescue 2  J^  bushels 

Timothy  or  Herd's  Grass  of  the  North ^,^°  ^  i^o^lu®' 

Trifolium  pratense— See  Red  Clover 10  to  12    bs. 

perenne— See  Mammoth  Clover 10  to  li  lbs. 

repens— See  White  Clover •»  }bs. 

"  incarnatum — See  Scarlet  Clover 14  lbs. 

"         hybridum — See  Alsike  Clover v,- 1  •   I  !v  ' 

Toesinte 6  to  8    bs. 

Turnips 2  to  3  lbs. 

"         Ruta  Baga,  Russian  or  Swedish 2  to  3  lbs. 

Vetch,  Spring  (Tares) 2  bushels 

"       Sand  or  Winter b^J'"l''?' 

Various  Leaved  Fescue 3  bushels 

Wood  Meadow  Grass 2  bushels 

White  or  Dutch  Clover •  ■ ;  v**  i°f- 

Wheat 1 J^  ^"^^^^^ 


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ii 


Food  for 
Plants 

Index.  '^5 

PAGE 

Abstracts  of  U.  S.  Experiment  Station  Record 22 

Acre,  Number  of  Plants  to  the 211 

Adaptability  of  the  Onion  to  All  Soils 161 

Advantages  of  Home  Mixing 235 

Alfalfa,  Cow  Peas  and  Clover  Question 127 

Alfalfa,  Formula  for 250 

Alkaline  Soil  Necessary  for  Grass 88 

America's  Annual  Expenditure  for  Fertilizer 260 

Ammoniates,  Nitrogenous  Fertilizers 219 

Amount  of  Barbed  Wire  Required  for  Fences 197 

Amounts  of  Nitrogen,  Phosphoric  Acid  and  Potash  Found 

Profitable  for  Different  Crops  Under  Average  Conditions 

per  Acre 272 

Amount  of  Oil  in  Seeds 210 

Analyses  of  Commercial  Fertilizing  Materials 264,  264 

Analyses  of  Farm  Manures 265 

Analyses  of  Fertilizing  Materials  in  Farm  Products ;  Analyses 

of  Hay  and  Dry,  Coarse  Fodders 265-269 

Apples,  Nitrate  of  Soda  on 171 

Application  of  Fertilizer  to  Cotton 74 

Apply  and  Mix  Nitrate  of  Soda  and  Other  Fertilizers,  How 

to 23 

Are  the  Farmers  of  Little  Europe  More  Intelligent  than 

those  of  America? 13 

Asparagus 50,  143,  151 

Availability  in  Fertilizer 232 

Availability  of  Nitrogen  in  Various  Forms 16 

Average  Annual  Rainfall  in  the  United  States 196 

Barley 134,  137 

Barley,  Formula  for 250 

Barley  and  Oats 137 

Beets  (Table)  Grown  on  Nitrate,  Ready  for  Market  Sixteen 

Days  Earlier 145 

Berries,  Formulas  for 254 

Better  Quality  Resulted  as  Well  as  Saving  in  Time  and 

Increase  in  Crop 144 

Buckwheat 140 

Bulletin  of  North  Carolina  Dept.  of  Agriculture 74 

Burbank,  What  Luther,  says 174 

Business  Laws  in  Brief 200 


Food  for  PAGE 

^^^°^"  Cabbage,  Early 145 

286       Cabbages  and  Cauliflower 154 

Calculations  for  Home  Mixing 240,  241 

Cantaloupes 155 

Capacity  of  Cisterns  for  Each  Ten  Inches  in  Depth 209 

Carrying  Capacity  of  a  Freight  Car 199 

Catch-Crops 25 

Cauliflower  and  Cabbages 154 

Celery 59,  145,  155 

Chemical  Manures.  Nature  of 24 

Chile  Saltpetre 224 

Chile's  Supply  of  Nitrate 17 

Citrus  Fruits,  Formulas  for 255,  256 

Clark's  Grass  Cultivation,  Nitrate  of  Soda  as  Used  in 91 

Clover,  Alfalfa  and  Cow  Peas  Question 127 

Clovers,  Formula  for 250 

Common  Salt,  Use  of 164 

Comparative  Availability  of  Nitrogen  in  Various  Forms. ...  19 
Comparison  of  Nitrate  of  Soda  and  Sulphate  of  Ammonia, 

Both  With  and  Without  Lime 135 

"Complete  Fertilizers"  and  "Phosphates"  the  Most  Expen- 
sive Plant  Food 12 

Composition  of  Different  Classes  of  Fertilizers 274 

Composition  of  Fertilizers  in  Different  Grades 274 

Corn 141 

Corn,  Formulas  for 248 

Corn,  Sweet 147 

Cost  of  Active  (Available)  Nitrogen 38 

Cost  of  Nitrogen  in  Nitrate  of  Soda 276 

Cost  of  One  Pound  of  Plant  Food  in  Different  Grades  of  Fer- 
tilizers   275 

Cost  of  One  Pound  of  Plant  Food  to  Consumers 276 

Cost  of  Transportation  of  Fertilizers 21 

Cost  of  Transportation  per  Ton  of  Material 21 

Cotton 71 

Cotton,  Experiments  at  South  Carolina  Experiment  Station.  76 

Cotton  Fertilizing 74 

Cotton  and  Fibre  Plants 71 

Cotton,  Formula  for 251 

Cotton,  Profitable  Use  of  Nitrate  on 76 

Cotton-Seed  Meal  and  Nitrate  Compared  on  Wheat 131 

Cow  Peas,  Formula  for 250 

Cow  Peas,  Alfalfa  and  Clover  Question 127 

Crop  Was  Saved  From  Total  Failure,  How  a 145 


PAGE  Food  for 

Cucumbers 58,  146  ^^^^^^ 

Cucumbers,  Squashes  and  Melons 160       287 

Currants,  Gooseberries,  Raspberries 187 

Defects  and  Losses  in  the  Use  of  Ordinary  Nitrogens 30 

Distribution  of  Nitrogen  in  the  Grain  and  Straw  of  the  Prin- 
cipal Cereals 277 

Distribution  of  Nitrogen  in  the  Principal  Root  Crops 278 

Dollar  Spent  in  Nitrate  Returned  $!21.00  in  Increased  Crop.  145 

Doubling  the  Cotton  Crop 76 

Early  Cabbage 54,  145 

Early  Growth  of  Plants 34 

Early  Lettuce 148 

Early  Peas I49 

Early  Potatoes 60,  150 

Early  Table  Beets 48 

Early  Table  Turnips -. 55 

Early  Tomatoes 52,  151 

Economy  in  the  Purchase  of  Fertilizers,  Home  Mixtures. .  .  .  226 

Economical  and  Profitable  Practice 91 

Edible  Value  of  Plant,  Special  Influence  of  Nitrate  on 31 

Effect  of  Nitrate  on  Quality  of  Hay 86 

Egg  Plant. ' 148 

Eminent  Scientists  Well  Acquainted  with  Value  of  Nitrate .  9 

Equipment  for  Home  Mixing 239 

Equivalent  Quantity  of  Nitrate  Food 37 

Estimating  Measures 205 

Excess  of  Value  of  Hay  Over  Cost  of  Fertilizers 90 

Experiments  in  England,  Wheat 131 

Experiments  on  Cotton  at  the  South  Carolina  Experiment 

Station 77 

Experiments    on    Tobacco    at    the    Kentucky    Experiment 

Station 82 

Experiments  with  Fertilizers  on  Cotton 75 

Experiments  with  Fertilizers  on  Sweet  Potatoes 168 

Experiments  with  Fertilizers  on  Tomatoes 170 

Experiments  with  Forage  Crops 68 

Experiment  on  Wheat  with  Nitrogen 136 

Extraordinary  Returns  on  Celery 146 

Facts  for  Builders 206 

Facts  for  the  Weatherwise 202 

Farm  Sewage  Disposal 222 

Farmers'  Bulletin,  No.  107.     Prepared  in  the  OflBce  of  Ex- 
periment Stations 218 


Food  for  PAGE 

^^"^^^  Farmers'  Barometer 203 

288       Farmyard  Manure  Compared  with  Nitrate 25 

Farmyard  Manure,  Management  of 222 

Farmyard  Manure  and  Other  Products  are  Valuable,  Why. .  29 

Ferns,  How  to  Revive 211 

Fertilizer  Experiments  on  Meadow  Land 270 

Fertilizers  Employed  as  Source  of  Nitrogen 32 

Fertilizers  (Diagram) 281 

Fertilizers  for  Fruits  (Bulletin  66,  Hatch  Experiment  Station)  171 

Fertilizers  for  Vegetables  and  Small  Fruits 15 

Fertilizers  in  Use  for  Garden  Crops,  What 16 

Fertilizing  Cotton 74 

Fertilizing  Hay  Crops  in  California 122 

Field  Experiments  with  Nitrate  at  Highland  Farms 116 

Figs 189 

Financial  Profit  from  Use  of  Nitrate 88 

Flax 80 

Flowers 156 

Food  Necessary  for  Plants 5 

Forage  Crops,  Experiments  with 68 

For  Crops  of  Low  Commercial  Value 62 

Formulas  for  Citrus  Fruits 255,  256 

Formulas  for  Farm  Crops 248-253 

Formulas  for  Fruits  and  Berries 254 

Formulas  for  Market  Garden  Crops 253 

Forty  Bushels  of  Wheat  to  the  Acre  a  Possible  Average 131 

Free  Use  of  the  Harrow  and  Pulverizer 163 

Fruits 171 

Fruits,  Formulas  for 254 

Fruits  Generally,  Nitrate  of  Soda  for 172 

Fruits,  Nitrate  on 35 

Functions  of  Nitrate,  Unusual 30 

Gains  from  Use  of  Nitrate  of  Soda 66 

Gain  in  Time  Remarkable,  Two  Weeks  in  Advance 147 

Garden  Crops,  Market 48,  152 

General  Directions  for  Staple  Crops 258 

General  Fruit  Formula  per  Acre 254 

General  Points  as  to  Methods  of  Application 221 

Good  Results  Due  to  Nitrate 215 

Gooseberries,  Currants,  Raspberries 187 

Grain  and  Hay 62 

Grains,  Grasses,  Root  Crops,  Pastures,  Soiling  Crops,  Nitrate 

as  a  Top-Dressing  for 24 

Grape  Fruit,  Formula  lor 256 


PAGE  Food  for 
Plants 


Grapes 189 

Grass  Growing  for  Profit 83       2 

Grass  Lands,  Formulas  for 249,  250 

Grasses,  Grains,  Root  Crops,  Pastures,  Soiling  Crops,  Nitrate 

as  a  Top-Dressing  for 24 

Greenhouse  Plant  Food 158 

Growing  Timothy  Hay  for  Market 91 

Harrow  and  Pulverizer,  Free  Use  of  the 153 

Hay 63 

Hay  and  Grain 62 

Hay,  Growing  Timothy  for  Market 91 

Hay,  How  Nitrate  Improves  the  Quality  of  the 86 

Hay  Lands,  Formulas  for 249,  250 

Hemp 80 

Highland  Experimental  Farms,  Report  of  Experiments 108 

Hints  for  Farmers 209 

Hints  for  Right  Use  of  Nitrate 19 

Home-Mixing  of  Fertilizers 230 

Home-Mixing  Table 247 

Hops.     A  Record  of  Four  Years'  Experiments  with  Hops. .  .  142 

Hops,  Formula  for 253 

How  a  Crop  was  Saved  from  Total  Failure 145 

How  All  Nitrogen  is,  of  Necessity,  Nitrated,  and  Slowness  of 

Process 35 

How  All  Crops  Grow 24 

How  and  Where  to  Buy  Fertilizing  Materials 20 

How  Deep  in  the  Ground  to  Plant  Corn 197 

How  Nitrate  of  Soda  Helps  Crops 45 

How  Grain  Will  Shrink 197 

How  It  Pays 88 

How  Money  Crops  Feed 28 

How  Much  Shall  be  Applied 64 

How  Nitrate  Benefits  the  Farmer 7 

How  Nitrate  Increases  Wheat  Crops 24    . 

How  Nitrate  Improves  the  Quality  of  the  Hay 86 

How  Nitrate  Neutralizes  Soil  Acids  and  Sweetens  the  Soil .  .  88 

How  Nitrate  Saves  Time,  Money  and  the  Crop 34 

How  to  Apply  Nitrate  of  Soda  to  Wheat 129 

How  to  Apply  Phosphatic  Fertilizers 20 

How  to  Measure  Corn  in  Crib,  Hay  in  Mow,  etc 199 

How  to  Mix  and  Apply  Nitrate  of  Soda  and  Other  Fertilizers.  19 

How  to  Preserve  Eggs 205 

How  to  Rent  a  Farm 202 

How  to  Save  Humus 223 


Food  for  PAGE 

^^^°*^  How  to  Save  Money  on  Fertilizers 13 

290       How  to  See  the  Wind 203 

How  to  Top-Dress 35 

How  to  Treat  Sunstroke 200 

How  to  Use  Chemical  Fertilizers  to  Advantage 24 

Increase  in  Crop,  Better  Quality  and  Saving  in  Time 144 

Increase  of  Crops  from  Same  Quantity  of  Nitrogen  from  Dif- 
ferent Sources 16 

Increased  Yield  on  Turnips  and  Swedes 171 

Indispensable,  Why  Nitrate  is 5 

Intrinsic  Values  of  Nitrogens 30 

Irish  Potatoes,  Formula  for 252 

Kale 148 

Late  Potatoes 150 

Lawns  and  Golf  Links 158 

Lemons,  Formula  for 256 

Length  of  Navigation  of  the  Mississippi  River 198 

Lettuce 159 

Litter 222 

Losses  and  Defects  in  the  Use  of  Ordinary  Nitrogens 30 

Making  Two  Blades  of  Grass  Grow  Where  One  Blade  Grew 

Before 85 

Management  of  Farmyard  Manure 222 

Margin  of  Profit  Greater 215 

Mandarin  Oranges,  Formula  for 255 

Mangolds 160 

Manures 221 

Market  Garden  Crops 48,  152 

Market  Garden  Crops,  Formula  for 253 

Market  Gardening  with  Nitrate 143 

Maryland  Agricultural  Experiment  Station.     Bulletin  No. 
91.     Nitrate  of  Soda  vs.  No  Nitrate  of  Soda,  Applied  on 

Wheat;  Wheat  Unfertilized  in  Fall 135 

Materials  Not  to  be  Mixed 246 

Materials  Used  in  Making  Commercial  or  Chemical  Manures  224 

Melons,  Cucumbers  and  Squashes 160 

Methods  of  Home  Mixing 239 

Mix  and  Apply  Nitrate  of  Soda  and  Other  Fertilizers,  How  to  19 

Mixing,  Home 227,  230 

Modern  Agriculture,  Position  of  Nitrate  in 9 

Moisture  in  Soil,  Necessity  of 163 


PAGE  Food  for 

Money  Crops,  Results  of  Nitrate  on 36  ^'^°^^ 

Muskmelons 57       291 

Nature  of  Chemical  Manures 24 

Natural  Plant  Food,  Sources  of 32 

Nearly  Always  Deficient,  Nitrate 5 

Necessity  of  Moisture  in  Soil 163 

Neutralizes  Soil  Acids  and  Sweetens  the  Soil,  How  Nitrate. .  88 

New  Jersey  Experiment  Station,  Abstract  from  Bulletin  172  38 

Nitrate 6 

Nitrate,  Its  Use  is  Increasing 12 

Nitrate  Nearly  Always  Deficient 5 

Nitrate  Pre-Digested  Nitrogen 29 

Nitrate  Compared  with  Farmyard  Manure 25 

Nitrate  Test  at  Kentucky  Experiment  Station 139 

Nitrate  of  Soda  as  Used  in  Clark's  Grass  Cultivation 91 

Nitrate  and  Cotton-Seed  Meal  Compared  on  Wheat 135 

Nitrate  as  a  Top-Dressing  for  Grains,  Grasses,  Root  Crops, 

Pastures,  Soiling  Crops 24 

Nitrate  of  Soda,  Amount  to  Apply  on  Wheat 67 

Nitrate  of  Soda,  How  Used  on  Cereals 225 

Nitrate  of  Soda  on  Apples 171 

Nitrate  of  Soda  or  Chile  Saltpetre 224 

Nitrate  of  Soda  for  Fruits  Generally 172 

Nitrate  of  Soda  Niter  in  Fertilizing.     (Bulletin  24,  California 

State  Mining  Bureau.)     By  Dr.  Gilbert  E.  Bailey 25 

Nitration  or  Nitrification 223 

Nitrogen  Should  Receive  Special  Attention 40 

Number  of  Plants  to  the  Acre 211 

Number  of  Years  Seeds  Retain  Their  Vitality. . . 196 

Number  Bricks  Required  to  Construct  any  Building 206 

Nursery  Stock 191 

Oats 138 

Oats  and  Peas  for  Hay 109 

Oats,  Formula  for 249 

Of  General  Interest 196 

Olive  Trees,  Old,  Formula  for ' 257 

Olive  Trees,  Young,  Formula  for 257 

Onions 1"*9 

Onion,  Adaptability  of  the,  to  All  Soils 161 

On  What  Crops  Nitrate  Should  Be  Used 15 

Orange  Groves 194 

Oranges,  Mandarin,  Formula  for 255 

Orange  Trees,  Old,  Formula  for ^5 


Food  for  PAGE 

^^^°*^  Orange  Trees,  Young,  Formula  for 255 

292       Other  Ammoniates  Higher  in  Price  than  Nitrate 215 

Pastures,  Soiling  Crops,  Root  Crops,  Grains,  Grasses,  Nitrate 

as  a  Top-Dressing  for 24 

Peaches 171 

Peas  and  Oats  for  Hay 109 

Peppers 60 

Philosophical  Facts 204 

Phosphates 219 

"Phosphates"   and  "Complete  Fertilizers"  the  Most  Ex- 
pensive Plant  Food 12 

Phosphoric  Acid 6 

Pioneer  Farmers'  Wasteful  Methods 9 

Plant  Food  Needs  of  Crops 36 

Points  as  to  Prices  of  Farm  Products  and  Nitrate  Prices, . .  .  214 

Poison  Ivy,  How  to  Kill 211 

Position  of  Nitrate  in  Modern  Agriculture 9 

Potashes 6,  220 

Potatoes 150 

Potatoes,  Irish,  Formula  for 252 

Potatoes,  Late 150,  166 

Potatoes,  Sweet 167 

Potatoes,  Sweet,  Formula  for 252 

Potatoes,  Applying  Fertilizers  for 166 

Practical  Conclusions 90 

Practical  Suggestions  as  a  Result  of  Experiments 48 

Pre-Digested  Nitrogen,  Nitrate  a 29 

Price  of  Farm  Products,  Rise  in 215 

Principal  Elements,  Nitrate,  Phosphoric  Acid,  Potash 29 

Probable  Stability  of  Farm  Values 215 

Profit,  Margin  of 215 

Profits  from  Use  of  Fertilizers 46 

Profitable  and  Economical  Practice 91 

Profitable   Fertilization   of   Grapes.     Summary   of   Experi- 
ments at  Darmstadt  Agricultural  Experiment  Station, 

Darmstadt,  Germany 190 

Profitable  Onion  Cultivation 161 

Profitable  Use  of  Nitrates,  How  Careful  Cultivation  May 

Aid  in  the 92 

Profitable  Use  of  Nitrate  on  Cotton 76 

Pulverizer  and  Harrow,  The  Use  of  the 163 

Quantity  (Equivalent)  of  Nitrate  Food 37 


PAGE  Food  for 
Raspberries,  Currants,  Gooseberries 187 


Rational  Use  of  Chilean  Nitrate  in  California 17'-2       293 

Ready  for  Market  Sixteen  Days  Earlier,  Table  Beets  Grown 

on  Nitrate l-i'5 

Reference  Table  for  Vegetable  Seed  Sowers '284! 

Relative  Value  of  Diflferent  Foods  for  Stock 208 

Report  of  Experiments,  Highland  Experimental  Farms 108 

Results  (Good)  Due  to  Nitrate 215 

Results  in  New  York "273 

Results  of  Nitrate  on  Money  Crops 36 

Results  of  Saving  Small  Amounts  of  Money "211 

Results  in  an  Unfavorable  Season  with  Low  Prices  for  Prod- 
ucts    1-1'^ 

Returns  on  Celery  Extraordinary 146 

Rice,  Formula  for "20 1 

Rise  in  Price  of  Farm  Products '215 

Root    Crops,    Pastures,    Soiling    Crops,    Grains,    Grasses, 

Nitrate  as  a  Top-Dressing  for '24 

Rotation  on  Crops "27^2 

Rules  for  Farmers,  Business 199 

Rye 67,  139 

Rye.  Formulas  for 249,  ^250 

Save  Humus,  How  to -'23 

Save  Money  on  Fertilizers,  How  to 13 

Savings  Bank  Compound  Interest  Table "212 

Saving  in  Time,  Increase  in  Crop,  and  Better  Quality 144 

Sewage  (Farm)  Disposal "'"-~ 

Small  Fruits 187 

Small  Fruits  and  Vegetables,  Fertilizers  for 15 

Snap  Beans ^^^ 

Sodas "2^0 

Soiling  Crops ~7 

Soiling  Crops,  Root  Crops,  Pastures,  Grasses,  Grains,  Nitrate 

as  a  Top-Dressing  for "'-i 

Some  American  Rotations "~~'^ 

Some  Practical  Hints  Regarding  Nitrate "2"20 

Sources  of  Natural  Plant-Food '5~ 

South  Carolina  Agricultural  Experiment  Station.     Bulletin 

No.  56 b36 

South  Carolina  Experiment  Station,  Experiments  on  Cotton  76 

Soy  Beans,  Formula  for ">•"><• 

Special  Functions  of  Plant-Food '^'^ 

Special  Influence  of  Nitrate  on  Edible  Value  of  Plant 31 

Spraying  with  Solution  of  Nitrate  of  Soda 175 


Food  for  PAGE 

__L_^^  Square  Measure 205 

294       Squashes,  Cucumbers  and  Melons 160 

Stability  (Probable)  of  Farm  Values 215 

Straight  Fertilizer  Formulas 243 

Strawberries 188 

Strength  of  Ice  of  Different  Thickness 210 

Suggestions  for  Top-Dressing  Crops 38 

Summary  of  Increased  Yields.     From  Application  of  One 

Hundred  Pounds  per  Acre  of  Nitrate  of  Soda 215 

Supply  of  Nitrate,  Chile's 17 

Surveyor's  Measure 210 

Sweet  Corn • 56,  147 

Sweet  Potatoes 61,  167 

Sweet  Potatoes,  Formula  for 252 

Sweetens  the  Soil  and  Neutralizes  Soil  Acids,  How  Nitrate. .  88 


Table  Beets  Grown  on  Nitrate  Ready  for  Market  16  Days 

Earlier 145 

Table,  Home  Mixing 247 

Table  of  Quantities  of  Seed  Required 282 

Table  Showing  the  Number  of  Pounds  of  Nitrogen,  Phos- 
phoric Acid  and  Potash  Withdrawn  per  Acre  by  an  Aver- 
age Crop 269 

Tabulated  General  Summary 276 

Terms  Used  in  Discussing  Fertilizers 218 

The  Amount  to  Apply 67 

The  Alfalfa,  Cow-Pea  and  Clover  Question 127 

Timothy  Hay,  Growing  for  Market 91 

The  Most  Expensive  Plant-Food,  "Phosphates"  and  "Com- 
plete Fertilizers" 12 

The  Quality  of  Manure  and  Fertilizers 29 

Time  at  Which  Money  Doubles  at  Interest 212 

Time  Required  for  Digesting  Food 201 

Time  Required  for  the  Complete  Exhaustion  of  Available 
Fertilizing  Materials  and  the  Amounts  of  Each  Remain- 
ing in  the  Soil  During  a  Period  of  Seven  Years.     (From 

Scottish  Estimates.) 271 

Tobacco 80 

Tobacco,  Formula  for 251 

Tomatoes 52,  151,  168 

Top-Dress,  How  To 35 

Top-Dressings 10,  34 

Top-Dressing  Experiments 36 

Top-Dressing  Grass  Lands 90 


PAGE  Food  for 

Top-Dressing  for   Grains,   Grasses,   Root  Crops,   Pastures,  

Soiling  Crops,  Nitrate  as  a --i       295 

Turnips  and  Swedes l'''! 

U.  S.  Experiment  Station  Record,  Abstracts 22 

Unusual  Functions  of  Nitrate 30 

Use  of  Common  Salt 164 

Use  of  Legumes l''^ 

Use  of  Nitrate  Increasing 12 

Value  of  Mixed  Fertilizers,  To  Calculate 242 

Value  of  Nitrate,  Eminent  Scientists  Well  Acquainted  with 


It. 


9 


Vegetables  and  Small  Fruits,  Fertilizers  for 15 

Vetch,  Formula  for 250 

Vincent's  Remedies '209 

Wasteful  Methods  Pioneer  Farmers ^ 

Weight'  of  a  Cubic  Foot  of  Earth,  Stone,  Metal,  etc 207 

Weights  and  Measures  for  Cooks,  etc 209 

What  a  Deed  to  a  Farm  in  Many  States  Includes 207 

What  Crops  Take  Out  of  Soils 36 

What  Experiment  Station  Directors  Say 279 

What  Fertilizers  to  Buy 13 

What  Plant-Food  Is 28 

What  Fertilizers  to  Use  for  Garden  Crops 16 

What  Nitrate  Has  Done  for  Crops 215 

What  Nitrate  is  in  Agriculture '^ 

What  Nitrate  Looks  Like;  Its  Chemical  Properties 7 

What  Percentage  of  Water  Does  Hay  Lose  During  Storage?  12-1. 

Wheat 66,  128 

Wheat,  Formulas  for 249,  250 

Wheat  and  Oats,  Rye  and  Barley 134 

Wheat  Crops,  How  Nitrate  Increases 24 

Wheat,  Cotton-Seed  Meal  and  Nitrate  Compared  on 131 

Wheat  Experiments  in  England 131 

Wheat,  How  to  Apply  Nitrate  of  Soda  to 129 

Wheat  on  Ohio  Farms '■ 131 

Where  Nitrate  is  Found ^ 

Where  and  How  to  Buy  Fertilizing  Materials 20 

WTiy  Farmyard  Manure  and  Other  Products  are  Valuable .  .  29 

Why  Nitrate  is  Indispensable J^ 

Winter  Spraying  with  Solution  of  Nitrate 1"^^ 

Yield  of  Cured  Hay  Under  Different  Rates  of  Nitrogenous 

Fertilization ^^ 

Yield  of  Forage  Crops  per  Acre 69 


